Need help on Helm w/ hydraulic - Page 6

Blue_Runner · #51 06-16-2009, 09:20 AM

An update on my hydro project...

In anticipation of my shipment arriving this week me and a buddy started getting things ready. First order of business was to free up the existing steering cable since it has to come out. I took the big nut off the tube and to my surprise the rod was not stuck in the engine tube

and not frozen at the helm

So apparently the cable is stuck inside the whatchamadoodle, cable sheath or whatever you call it.

Oh well, no worries, all that crap is coming out! But I left it in so I could feed the hydro hoses

(Emphasis on CRAP!)

Next up, remove the wheel. I've removed about 4 or 5 stubborn wheels in the past with the 3/4 inch tapered shaft. They can be a pain in the tailbone! This one was no walk in the park. I thought I might be able to yank it off with help from my friend after spraying it down with some PB. No dice...she REEELY did not want to come off. Time to find that gear puller. Almost all of the wheels I've pulled in the past I've had to use a gear puller. Anyway, had a little bit of trouble with the puller slipping off and finally remembered to put the lock nut on the end of the shaft to hold the puller in place, but not before buggering up the threads a bit

Once the nut was on I tightened the gear puller and it was getting REEL tight, then BANG! It popped off

and the gear puller crashed to the fiberglass floor

and my buddy looked at me as if we had just ripped the entire console out

Then I removed the helm and bezel mount. At this point I am ready for to install the new steering. This evening I'm going to work on draining the +/- 10 gallons of old fuel and charge up the batteries. Then she needs a good cleaning, new racor filter, and the owner may need a bottle of champagne considering July 26th 2008 was the last successful voyage for me.

Wish me luck.

cterrebonne · #52 06-16-2009, 10:00 AM

sounds like a rough install, did you try the two ball pein hammer approach to remove the wheel first?

Blue_Runner · #53 06-16-2009, 10:11 AM

I'm not familiar with the 2 ball pien hammer method....do share!

She was on there so tight I can't imagine anything but the puller would have gotten it off.

Actually, I'd say things are going smoothly so far, believe it or not. I will consider it a "rough" install if I run into something I can't fix in an hours time.

Airslot · #54 06-16-2009, 08:47 PM

Perty work Blue. I was in up to my eyeballs myself tonight as I started rigging the P-line. Once I figured it out, the entire helm pod lifts off to reveal all the wiring, which in my case was a rats nest from a bunch a previously butchered jobs.

I did get my plotter on before dark, so in all it was a good night.

cterrebonne · #55 06-17-2009, 08:05 AM

i'll try to take a pic of the process today.

Blue_Runner · #56 06-17-2009, 08:22 AM

CT - what a tease!!!!! You've got my mind going ape-sh!t. I just cant imagine how 2 ball pien hammers could be used to remove the helm, beside two people beating the wheel simultaneously from behind.

Slot, I hear ya...you sound like me. Worked on the boat after work the past 2 evenings right up until dark. It is rewarding though.

Yesterday evening I drained all the old gas out. I estimated there was 10 - 12 gallons in the v based on my last recollection of the gas gauge. I pumped 11.5 gallons! Dam gauge is spot on!

My 20 degree dash wedge came in, still waiting on the steering system. I have 2 mounting options, they are the pics on the left as seen below. I prefer the top one however my hole would have to be 5 1/2 inches to accomodate. As of now its somewhere in the 3.5 - 4 inch range. I'll just do the bottom one for now to get to fishing and if I'm unhappy I'll remount it with the 5.5in. hole:

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more hydraulic fun!

jrou111 · #57 06-17-2009, 08:49 AM

You're going to love the hydraulic steering. I've got the Baystar system and it steers great. Just make sure to buy an extra front shaft seal for the hub/pump. It's not a regular o-ring, it's more like an x-ring to seal.

Mine needs replacing which is why I've got tilt/trim lube on the floor under the console.

Here's a link about it: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/ref...eflexSeal.html

Blue_Runner · #58 06-17-2009, 09:03 AM

jrou111, thank you for the interesting info...this is my favorite part of the article (at the bottom):

Quote:

The steerting wheel is tightly seated on a tapered and keyed shaft. It may be necessary to use a gear puller to pop the wheel off the shaft. Typically just a slight amount of force will break the wheel loose.

cterrebonne · #59 06-17-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

jrou111, thank you for the interesting info...this is my favorite part of the article (at the bottom):

yep maybe if it never left the showroom

Blue_Runner · #60 06-17-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Don't take the nut all the way off. Place a flat or ball peen hammer on the shaft with the handle under the rim of the wheel. While prying up with the hammer strike the first hammer with another hammer. Wheel should come right off. When replacing put a thin coat of grease on the shaft.

CT, is the the hammer trick you were referring to? I googled and found this.