steering wheel lost motion

[jansan]

On a Catalina 28 Mk 1 ( just recently ) some play has appeared between the wheel and the rudder. Anyone had this problem ? Is there an adjustment mechanism available within the pedestal column ? At first inspection there seems to have been an increase in the cable length --------- leading to this play -------- but I can`t believe that this is possible.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I'd suggest checking the run of the cables from the point they leave the base of the pedestal first. This is easily accessible from the aft cabin by removing the overhead cover for cables and the board in the interior of the transom. May have jumped a sheave, check the ends of cable may have "slipped" at attachment. Sometimes the cables are "poorly" assembled when fastened to the quadrant.

 

[jansan]

I'd suggest checking the run of the cables from the point they leave the base of the pedestal first. This is easily accessible from the aft cabin by removing the overhead cover for cables and the board in the interior of the transom. May have jumped a sheave, check the ends of cable may have "slipped" at attachment. Sometimes the cables are "poorly" assembled when fastened to the quadrant.

Thanks for input ---------- I`ll check it out next time onboard

 

[jansan]

Just for information -------- a 1/16 inch thick gasket inserted between the rear face of the jockey wheel mounting plate and the bulkhead roof has eliminated 2 inches of play at the wheel. An interesting bit of mechanical leverage !

Whilst in there it was noticetable that there had been corrosion and materail loss in the running groove of the quadrant driven by the cable from the wheel/chain drive mechanism. Presumably wear in the groove appearing to be " the stretch " in the cable.
Anyway chain and gear drive greased,cable and quadrant oiled ---------- so we`ll see how things progress from here.