Wheel binds w/ST-4000 autopilot attachment rings

[Gregg]

You know those black plastic rings that attach to the wheel? I've got some bad binding at the three o'clock position. I've backed off the wheel attachment nut, but the only way the binding stops is if the wheel nut is too loose. Don't want to lose that.Any one else with this problem? Any ideas? I'm thinking of taking a grinding wheel to each of the plastic rings and shaving them down a little at the spot where the binding occurs.

 

[jim oursler]

Maybe one wheel has fallen off-ST4000

I would first inspect to see that all wheels inside are in place. If one have fallen off, can drill a hole and use a long screw and nut to resecure. Probably all are in place as you must have pulled it apart to see the wheels. Think there are seven of them. Next, make certain that the pin that goes to pedestal is in proper location. Next, call raymarine before shaving any of the wheels. Maybe your belt has stretched. Let us know the final story. .

 

[Steve]

Mine too...

I installed my ST4000+ per recomendations of RayMarine. I even bought the SS pin for the pedistal. It bound so much that I had to use two of the plastic rings of the correck size at the 0/180 positions, and the next sixe up at the 120/240 postions to allow some play. It still caused a lot of binding.The unit just returned form repair (covered under warranty), so I plan on removing the pedistal pin and allow the unit to be fixed in place by the motor alone (see previous posts in archieves). If you have the pin, I would recommend that it not be used. And you might try the 0/180 & 120/240 trick. It helps on my 320 which is about the same as your 290. Also, make sure everything else is OK as recommended by the previous post.Good luck.Steve

 

[Gene]

Recenter the Wheel

What you describe sounds like it might be caused by the autohelm not being exactly centered on your wheel. Ease off on the screws that hold the clips to the spokes, so that they can just barely slide. Then turn your wheel and let them center themselves. Carefully tighten the clip screws back down without moving them, and see if that helps. The official pedestal anchor for a flat pedestal doesn't come with the unit, is outrageously priced, and they won't let you trade the round pedestal one for the right one. Although Raymarine doesn't endorse it, I use the motor housing as the anchor point, since on my 29.5, most of the motor housing goes into the pedestal. The moment arm is therefore very short. Just make sure you lock it in well.

 

[Chuck Wayne]

autohelm install on 290

my 29.5 also was set up with the motor case as the mount-into the flat ped. the previous owner probably also choked on the pin mount cost-it worked fine

 

[Gregg]

Think I've got it.....

Thanks all, and Gene, you had the right idea.Loosened the wheel nut again, then loosened the clip screws. Snugged everything back up again, just didn't make it all too tight. Little to no binding now.As for the pin, doesn't look like I have it anyway.