Hello all, I'm getting close to the need to replace the chain/wire steering system on an O'Day 302. Has anyone done this ?? Where can someone get the parts ?? Most importantly, what's the easiest way to do it ?? The people at the boat yard say it's a PITA, but I get the feeling they just want to do the job and I'd much prefer doing it myself. Any ideas/advice would be appreciated. Dave.............
Steering cable Replacement
- Thread starter DAVE C.5111
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Check with the Edson guys
I hope I never have to do this with my 302! While at the Chicago Strictly Sail show last February I asked the Edson rep some questions about lubricating my system. They were very, very helpful -- showed me how and what to do on a model at the show and then gave me a couple of data sheets to take with me. Very good people to talk with. I'd give 'em a call or go see em at a show this spring.
I hope I never have to do this with my 302! While at the Chicago Strictly Sail show last February I asked the Edson rep some questions about lubricating my system. They were very, very helpful -- showed me how and what to do on a model at the show and then gave me a couple of data sheets to take with me. Very good people to talk with. I'd give 'em a call or go see em at a show this spring.
I agree with Steve
About calling Edson there a great company to deal with and I did mine on a 32 and its pretty strait forward, you start by getting slack on the cable at the rudder quadrent then after removing the compass you'll see the link that connects the chain. the only trick is to look down the pedestal and see if the cable is crossed cause some systems are designed that way. Edson also has data sheets for every system which has a drawing of all parts and cable length.
About calling Edson there a great company to deal with and I did mine on a 32 and its pretty strait forward, you start by getting slack on the cable at the rudder quadrent then after removing the compass you'll see the link that connects the chain. the only trick is to look down the pedestal and see if the cable is crossed cause some systems are designed that way. Edson also has data sheets for every system which has a drawing of all parts and cable length.
Make/model of steering?
Assuming it's an Edson, they make several different types of systems. Vic showed a photo of one type on his post. I have a different type on my boat, a Radial Drive with a 13" dia. circular quadrant clamped to the rudder post. So you should specify which system you have when you go hunting for info. Edson has a lot of information available on-line that you can download & they are very helpful with info, parts etc. Vic mentioned the bolts that hold the compass housing to the pedestal: they may be seized and difficult to free. There were some posts about this problem recently & you may want to check the archived posts. The bolts are a non-magnetic stainless & thread into aluminum: they can be a real bear to get loose. An impact driver may help. When you replace them, you may want to use a tap to clean up the threads in the aluminum & use some Loctite or similar product to prevent them seizing again. Don't forget to use non-magnetic fasteners ( 316 S/S or equiv.) Once the compass housing is off and you can access the top end of the steering, I recommend that you stuff a rag down into the post, to catch any screws or little parts that may get away. If they drop to the bottom of the pedestal tube they can be very hard to recover. Other that that, with the Edson info to guide you, the only hassle is wriggling under the cockpit or in the lazarette to get at everything. Be patient. Good luck.
Assuming it's an Edson, they make several different types of systems. Vic showed a photo of one type on his post. I have a different type on my boat, a Radial Drive with a 13" dia. circular quadrant clamped to the rudder post. So you should specify which system you have when you go hunting for info. Edson has a lot of information available on-line that you can download & they are very helpful with info, parts etc. Vic mentioned the bolts that hold the compass housing to the pedestal: they may be seized and difficult to free. There were some posts about this problem recently & you may want to check the archived posts. The bolts are a non-magnetic stainless & thread into aluminum: they can be a real bear to get loose. An impact driver may help. When you replace them, you may want to use a tap to clean up the threads in the aluminum & use some Loctite or similar product to prevent them seizing again. Don't forget to use non-magnetic fasteners ( 316 S/S or equiv.) Once the compass housing is off and you can access the top end of the steering, I recommend that you stuff a rag down into the post, to catch any screws or little parts that may get away. If they drop to the bottom of the pedestal tube they can be very hard to recover. Other that that, with the Edson info to guide you, the only hassle is wriggling under the cockpit or in the lazarette to get at everything. Be patient. Good luck.
Thank You
Thanks for the advise. It is an Edson system so I sent them an E-mail with the make/model boat and they responded right away with the part number I need and some info on the job. As said they were very prompt and helpful. I'm lucky in a way, the 302 has an aft cabin and I can get to the bottom of the steering pedestal and the quadrant fairly easily. Getting the compass off is going to be some work, but, what the heck. Again thanks for the responses, Dave..............
Thanks for the advise. It is an Edson system so I sent them an E-mail with the make/model boat and they responded right away with the part number I need and some info on the job. As said they were very prompt and helpful. I'm lucky in a way, the 302 has an aft cabin and I can get to the bottom of the steering pedestal and the quadrant fairly easily. Getting the compass off is going to be some work, but, what the heck. Again thanks for the responses, Dave..............
getting the compass removed
Getting the compass off shouldn't be a big problem. I've pulled mine from the binnacle several times to run wires up the pedestal and do some maintenance on the steering mechanism. As I recall it's a matter of removing three or four screws and disconnecting the light wire. Don't start to remove the many screws which assemble the compass itself. If you back one off you'll know it immediatly because the oil inside the compass will start to leak out. Good luck Mike
Getting the compass off shouldn't be a big problem. I've pulled mine from the binnacle several times to run wires up the pedestal and do some maintenance on the steering mechanism. As I recall it's a matter of removing three or four screws and disconnecting the light wire. Don't start to remove the many screws which assemble the compass itself. If you back one off you'll know it immediatly because the oil inside the compass will start to leak out. Good luck Mike
Removing the compass is not the problem ...
but if Dave has to remove the housing below the compass to make it easier to work on ... that may be a problem. Actually I was lucky in both the jobs I did last year ... three of the bolts came out with difficulty ... and one was a no go ... but the housing did swing out of the way on that one no go bolt. That SS to Alum. BS is bad news. and those clowns use a sloted screw head when they just as easily could have used a bolt head. By the way the 272 has a "unique" quadrant set up ... they don't make it anymore. And it is a bear to replace the cables as you actually have to take the unit out of the hull to work on it. Fortunately it is pretty well built. The option is to go back to the tiller if it ever becomes non weldable. Vic "Seven"
but if Dave has to remove the housing below the compass to make it easier to work on ... that may be a problem. Actually I was lucky in both the jobs I did last year ... three of the bolts came out with difficulty ... and one was a no go ... but the housing did swing out of the way on that one no go bolt. That SS to Alum. BS is bad news. and those clowns use a sloted screw head when they just as easily could have used a bolt head. By the way the 272 has a "unique" quadrant set up ... they don't make it anymore. And it is a bear to replace the cables as you actually have to take the unit out of the hull to work on it. Fortunately it is pretty well built. The option is to go back to the tiller if it ever becomes non weldable. Vic "Seven"
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