Just a Thought -- 4 More Screws Another Layer Down?
It seems that with time, corossion, hardened caulks and just plain being stubborn, almost everything on a boat won't come apart without protest. Likely Mr. Shirley is on the right track. However, from memory when I took my Yacht Specialities Meriman pedestal apart last summer (if its the same model that you have) something else if it applies:After removing the compass itself, there are four philips screws that hold the compass housing to the throttle/gear housing. I removed these to get the compass housing off. With that removed, four slot head screws were revealed that secure the throttle gear housing to aluminimum pedestal itself. The wheel brake didn't work on my boat when I bought it. At the time I had my pedestal/steering assembly apart, I expected I would need to find replacement parts. However in my case, the mechanism was in good order. The brake wasn't working because: 1) there are two bolts that must be tightened just short of the brake pads touching the wheel axle when the brake knob is turned out fully (i.e. the brake isn't engaged). With these set right, tightening/loosening the brake nob then brakes the wheel. Mine were very loose to the exent that the brake knob at full tightening still didn't apply enough pressure. 2) Over time, lubrication from the wheel axle and chain sproket had worked its way into the brake area. Acetone and some fine sand paper on the pads and the brake spindle got the area grease-free. Cost of getting the brake to work again = $0.25 worth of acetone. The brake works fine a year later. Just thought to mention my experience. I don't remember exactly, but it is possible that the brake assembly can be accessed with just the removal of the compass housing.Have fun!