Stiff steering on an O'Day 272 LE

[Lou 14643]

Dear all:I've posted this here a few weeks ago, but have a little bit more information about my O'Day 272 LE's steering. I noticed this spring that the wheel was very stiff. Steering is through a cable that ends in a through-transom piston that connects to the transom-hung rudder. I went spelunking this weekend into the locker that gets me to the inside of the transom, hoping to find a place where I could grease the cable as it comes out of its jacket. Nothing like that could be found. Wiggling in and out was a real adventure. I took as much of the pedestal apart as I could from the top end, and lubricated the sprocket and chain that turn the wheel's rotary motion to the linear motion of the cable, but could not get far down into the pedistal. I can see up into it from the berth below, but not able to reach anything to find a way to disconnect the cable, extract it from the jacket and lubricate, or determine if it is too far gone. I'm in desperate need of advice on this steering set-up and suggestions about how to attack the problem. I emailed Edson two weeks ago, and they kindly faxed me tech sheets on a system that turns out not to be mine. The one they sent is actuated by a back and forth lever through the transom. Mine seems to be a simple push-rod. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[Bob Todd]

Unless you have a special 272LE...

...steering should be a push-pull to a linear actuator bolted to the inside of the transom and an actuator arm/link assembly from the outside of the transom to the starboard side of the rudder. The lever should be enclosed in a rubber boot.As far as I know, you can lube for a month of Sundays but, once the system is worn you will not be able to restore free movement.Time to replace parts which are becoming more and more difficult to find.I'm in the final stages (85% complete) of putting a steering system together for another forum member. Perhaps I may be able to locate some parts for you.As far as getting down into the pedestal, THAT'S a real special event. Luckily I never had to do it.Let me know if I can help.Cheers,Bob

 

[Lou 14643]

Mine seems to be different

Bob,Thanks for the quick response. The setup you describe is what I expected based upon the datasheet that Edson sent me. There is, however, no linear actuator bolted to the inside of the transom. Instead there is simlply a sheathed cable fitting on a small mounting plate. Where it comes through the transom (yes, on the starboard side of the rudder), it angles out towards the rudder, ends in a rubber boot, and then a piston that connects to the side of the rudder with a pinned fitting that allows for the slight change in angle as you steer. The entire cable, from where it exits the pedistal to where it hits the inside of the transom, is housed in a heavy plastic jacket. Lou

 

[Lou 14643]

Whoops, apparently not Edson

I've just been in email communication with customer service at Edson, and they tell me my setup was made by Yacht Specialties, not Edson. They say they have the cable to replace the existing, apparently corroded one, at $400. Anyone have experience replacing this? How difficult a job?

 

[Bob Todd]

Lou...I have to call Rudy today...

...on some other business so I'll ask about your steering system. He just may have the cable you need. You can e-mail me off-line at:bat@sailonly.comOr give me a call at work:781-377-3663Cheers,Bob

 

[Ron Deck]

Yacht Spec. Ped

Lou, That cable is not hard to change but you have to pull out the wheel shaft then unbolt the inner mechanism and pull it out with the cable. I gave up trying to find a cable and converted the pedistal to an open cable and sheeve system that works much better. Ron