The wheel steering is catching on my H34 and I was wondering if anyone has any advice before I start taking things apart. I have a ST4000 Autohelm. At first there was an occasional brief "catch" when turning. The "catches have become more frequent and more prolonged.
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Hi Jim, can you describe your situation in...
more detail? Does the catch happen only when the autopilot is engaged, or in standby, too? What about when it is turned off, does it still catch? What does the catch feel like, does it stop the steering movement until you turn it past the catch or is it a hesitation? Disconnect the autopilot system from the steering system and feel whether the catch is in the steering or the autopilot drive. If it is in the steering system, I would visually trace the entire steering cable path from the helm to the quadrant. It could be an electrical wire in the helm tube interfering with the chain drive portion of your steering system. One of the cables could have jumped off one of the sheaves or the rudder post could be binding. If the steering cable path looks and feels clear, then disconnect the cables from the quadrant and turn the quadrant by hand to feel whether the catch is in the post bearing. It could also be the autopilot drive system binding either because a plastic wheel inside the drive is worn or broken or the belt is worn or binding. Lots of possibilities. Terry
more detail? Does the catch happen only when the autopilot is engaged, or in standby, too? What about when it is turned off, does it still catch? What does the catch feel like, does it stop the steering movement until you turn it past the catch or is it a hesitation? Disconnect the autopilot system from the steering system and feel whether the catch is in the steering or the autopilot drive. If it is in the steering system, I would visually trace the entire steering cable path from the helm to the quadrant. It could be an electrical wire in the helm tube interfering with the chain drive portion of your steering system. One of the cables could have jumped off one of the sheaves or the rudder post could be binding. If the steering cable path looks and feels clear, then disconnect the cables from the quadrant and turn the quadrant by hand to feel whether the catch is in the post bearing. It could also be the autopilot drive system binding either because a plastic wheel inside the drive is worn or broken or the belt is worn or binding. Lots of possibilities. Terry
STEERING BIND H34
HAD A SLIGHT BIND, AND EVENTUALLY A A BROKEN TURNING SHEAVE AT THE BASE OF THE MERIMANN POST. I SUSPECT THE PART WAS 'CRACKED' FOR AWILE, THEN FRACTURED. SEE PICTURE.
HAD A SLIGHT BIND, AND EVENTUALLY A A BROKEN TURNING SHEAVE AT THE BASE OF THE MERIMANN POST. I SUSPECT THE PART WAS 'CRACKED' FOR AWILE, THEN FRACTURED. SEE PICTURE.
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Stering Reassembly
Jim, When you get the new sheave bracket and install it, put a little 30 Wt. Oil on the cable and sheave grooves and quadrant groove. There is also a needle bearing in the pedistal under the compass that probably could use a little Teflon Lube (an Edson kit has it). Regards, Dick Carey S/V Puffin 1990 H-33.5
Jim, When you get the new sheave bracket and install it, put a little 30 Wt. Oil on the cable and sheave grooves and quadrant groove. There is also a needle bearing in the pedistal under the compass that probably could use a little Teflon Lube (an Edson kit has it). Regards, Dick Carey S/V Puffin 1990 H-33.5
Hey, great job Jim!. Feels good to find and ...
fix it yourself. I've been told to avoid using petroleum based lubricants on sheaves, posts, bearings, etc. that are exposed to the marine environment. Instead use the non-petroleum based products. Terry
fix it yourself. I've been told to avoid using petroleum based lubricants on sheaves, posts, bearings, etc. that are exposed to the marine environment. Instead use the non-petroleum based products. Terry
Could be
the rudder floating up and allowing the top of the blade to bind on the skeg. My 376 did this until I made a 6" internal diameter ring of uPVC and fitted it as a spacer. I split the ring and clipped it over the rudder stock and held in place with a large diameter worm drive clip. A quick way to discover if it is the above fault is to remove the cover over the emergency tiller position and press down hard on the top of the rudder. I used all my weight and this cured the problem for a little while.
the rudder floating up and allowing the top of the blade to bind on the skeg. My 376 did this until I made a 6" internal diameter ring of uPVC and fitted it as a spacer. I split the ring and clipped it over the rudder stock and held in place with a large diameter worm drive clip. A quick way to discover if it is the above fault is to remove the cover over the emergency tiller position and press down hard on the top of the rudder. I used all my weight and this cured the problem for a little while.
more iofo
The catch occurs when the autopilot is not on or on and not engaged. The catch does not stop the wheel but makes it harder to turn. When I get past the catch the wheel turns freely. It may be more likely to occur after I have used the autopilot.
The catch occurs when the autopilot is not on or on and not engaged. The catch does not stop the wheel but makes it harder to turn. When I get past the catch the wheel turns freely. It may be more likely to occur after I have used the autopilot.
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