Bearing replacement on Whitlock steering pedestal (1977’ish - Moody 30)

[Yeoman_24]

I have recently removed my old Whitlock (?) steering binnacle from my Moody 30 with the intention of changing internal bearings. I have read the really good steering overhaul in the tech section but my binnacle is even older still!

I am coming across the usual galvanic corrosion problems with S/S machine screws and aluminium. I am going to use a 250v heat gun, wd40 and an impact driver unless anyone can advise anything better?

Has anyone worked on one of these really old systems or and advice will be gratefully received!

Question 1 - How long can I apply the heat for? (heat gun novice!)

Question 2 - Pic 1 shows the inside of the top of the binnacle and pic 2 shows the underside. I think I’m going to have to get all 8 bolts off to ‘lift off’ the binnacle top as the bearing is housed it it and held down by a ‘lip’?





Question 3 - the base looks like it is a bearing housing but there appears to be no way to remove it. (I’m going to use paint stripper to see if there are any machine screws which have been painted over).



Question 4 - There is a ‘collar’ at the base of the main pedestal upright, just above the base section. Should I be looking to do anything with that?



Below is a cross-section of the nearest I can find on the internet (Cobra 2ER)



Cheers.

 

[coopec]

You seem to know what you are doing but since you've asked for ideas maybe you should google something like ss aluminum corrosion bolt removal (video) as there are several video clips on the matter.

Good luck

 

[rogerthebodger]

In my view the best way to remove seized bolts is with an induction bolt remover.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=bolt buster induction tool

 

[Lightwave395]

Has anyone worked on one of these really old systems or and advice will be gratefully received!

I'm in the middle of overhauling my (later direct drive) version, the binnacle was held down with S/S CSK socket screws which rounded off almost instantly trying to free them with an allen key.
TBH it was simpler I found, to carefully drill them out and run a tap down the hole - I did buy a couple of new cobalt drills to make life easier...

 

[Norman_E]

You need circlip pliers to compress and remove the circlip holding the upper bearing.

 

[footsoldier]

I have recently removed my old Whitlock (?) steering binnacle from my Moody 30 with the intention of changing internal bearings. I have read the really good steering overhaul in the tech section but my binnacle is even older still!

I am coming across the usual galvanic corrosion problems with S/S machine screws and aluminium. I am going to use a 250v heat gun, wd40 and an impact driver unless anyone can advise anything better?.

Don't use WD40 - it's a water dispersant, useless as a penetrating oil.

Use PlusGas, or some other similar product specifically designated for the task.

 

[easton]

I feel your pain, having just done the same on a whitlock viper from a similar vintage moody 33. the viper has a belt drive top to bottom.

I used a penetrating oil (lots) mapgas torch and diesel but to no avail. Most of the castings were seized together and I had to cut off the pulleys (corroded) and knock the shafts inwards and cut off the bearings (scored with a dremel and split with a cold chisel). I wonder why the steering was stiff?

agree with other suggestions, a proper penetrating oil and plenty of heat. the only bit I irretrievably broke was the disk on the top that was easily replaceable.

I've done similar with a S-L Hyspeed winch which I fed with penetrating oil for a few days, then tried to disassemble, so would suggest keep soaking and patience.

I'd go easy with the impact driver near older, brittle, aluminium castings. And yes, it does look as though the bottom is a bearing carrier.

Andrew

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

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