Has anyone serviced a Merriman pedestal (circa 1982) as mine is getting sticky. How difficult is it and what lubricants should I use? Are there any sources for replacement parts if need be? Has anyone seen any written procedures to do this?
Servicing a Merriman Pedestal
- Thread starter ralphbell
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Take some photos and maybe I can help you out. It has been a long time since I looked inside a Merriman system. I doubt parts are available anymore.
It's not brian surgery. Pull off the compass or plate atop the pedestal. Lube the shaft where it goes through the bowl through bearings or bushings. I use turbine oil which is prety much 3-in-one oil. The little squeezy plastic bottle with the long floppy spout is good. Using the same lube, place a bead of lube between the inner and outer plates of the chain as you bring it past by turning the wheel. This will lube the pins and bushings inside the chain. Then go below and use the same oil on the on the two sheaves that the cable turns around. While there take a good look around to be sure the cables are running fair and nothing appears awry. Books? We don need no steenking books! Oh -- Perform this regimen about once every 10 years.
Since the concepts are the same between manufacturers, why not check out the great diagrams and maintenance ideas at Edson's website - www.edsonmarine.com. Can't go too far wrong if you can't find a Merriman catalog or other info online somewhere. Look under the Support tab in the upper horizontal banner.
The only parts that I know of for a Merriman Pedestal is the plastic band, or whatever it's called that goes around the upper part of the pedestal and supports the throttle and shift lever (at least on my 1986 H28.5). There is a maker in Canada who makes this part out a aluminum and sells it for around $170. Email me, or search the HOW archives, if you need the address.
As to maintaining the pedestal, I assume you mean the steering gear inside it? I lube the chains from the top and bottom with common motor oil or machine oil. Be careful not to drip some on the throttle cable, as I did.... The throttle will slip forever more. On the underside, lube the turning blocks and wire cables with the same oil. Put some oil on a clean rag and run it along the cables to both oil them and check for burrs. Also, inspect the two quadrants around which the cables go. On my boat, I was astounded to find two small hairline cracks forming where these plates connect to the rudder stock. I then took the plates off and had them professionally welded.
As to maintaining the pedestal, I assume you mean the steering gear inside it? I lube the chains from the top and bottom with common motor oil or machine oil. Be careful not to drip some on the throttle cable, as I did.... The throttle will slip forever more. On the underside, lube the turning blocks and wire cables with the same oil. Put some oil on a clean rag and run it along the cables to both oil them and check for burrs. Also, inspect the two quadrants around which the cables go. On my boat, I was astounded to find two small hairline cracks forming where these plates connect to the rudder stock. I then took the plates off and had them professionally welded.
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