Autopilot linear drive replacement

[alexincornwall]

Our fairly ancient Autohelm linear drive inconveniently decided to self-destruct last week leaving me with 9 hours of singlehanded hand steering to look forward to. It's a type 2 short stroke which is located deep behind an aft bulkhead and connects to the wheel quadrant via a substantial bolt through system. I have yet to remove the old unit but have replaced with the current Raymarine offering of the same type (arrived today), in the hope that replacing will be little more than a straight swap.

Given the importance of this piece of equipment I was minded to have it professionally installed but can't find anyone with a reasonable diary so intend to do it myself. The space looks tight for working but other than that appears to be a reasonably straightforward job. Has anybody completed a similar replacement and able to offer any top tips? I like to do these things myself where possible, but I am acutely aware of how much of a hammering this is going to get later in the season which is impacting my self confidence!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard10002]

In 2007 to 2008 on a Moody 44, I had ours on and off many times trying to fix an issue with the planetary gears.

It was fairly straightforward, albeit a bit awkward due to the position

IIRC there are 4 nuts and bolts where it fixes to the boat, and then the yole in the end ofvthevarm pops onto the rudder quadrant.

I can't remember, but the first time was probably the hardest so I wish you good luck!

 

[MontyMariner]

A few years back mine was playing up, it turned out to be the clutch connection. Whilst fault finding I stripped mine down and found that the motor brushes were quite worn but ok, but they had deposited a lot of carbon dust in the motor which needed cleaning out. The worm drive was ok, but I gave it a coat of silicon grease.
It's now 23 years old and still performing well.

 

[noelex]

It should be an easy swap.

The main problem is contorting yourself into the space, but then it only 4 wires and two connection points.

 

[footsoldier]

Best of luck for the swap-over.

Assuming that the old one's self-destruction was more that it just stopped working rather than literal, at least you can refurb it at your leisure and then have a spare to hand for when the inevitable recurs!

 

[alexincornwall]

Thanks all, I'm heading to the boat first thing Friday morning armed with all the tools and spares that I think I'm going to need! I anticipate a sore back and scraped knuckles by the end of it all...