Disassembly and reassembly of a Lewmar Direct-Drive self-steering actuator

[jdc]

On a recent passage my steering jammed. The cause was the electric self-steering actuator, so it was easy enough to disconnect and we carried on. Now back at home, I could find no service manual or instructions and so had to take it apart 'blind'.

I have, I hope, fixed it so in case useful to anybody else here are some pictures of how it comes apart.

 

[pvb]

Useful description, with good photos.

 

[Beneteau381]

On a recent passage my steering jammed. The cause was the electric self-steering actuator, so it was easy enough to disconnect and we carried on. Now back at home, I could find no service manual or instructions and so had to take it apart 'blind'.

I have, I hope, fixed it so in case useful to anybody else here are some pictures of how it comes apart.

PBO buy good stories like this

 

[penfold]

Excellent, succinct write-up and decent pics.

 

[Supertramp]

On a recent passage my steering jammed. The cause was the electric self-steering actuator, so it was easy enough to disconnect and we carried on. Now back at home, I could find no service manual or instructions and so had to take it apart 'blind'.

I have, I hope, fixed it so in case useful to anybody else here are some pictures of how it comes apart.

Really clear description and pictures and reassures me as mine isn't up to 25000 yet!

Do Lewmar advise any maintenance or inspection on these or are they so slow wearing that it's a run until fail?

 

[jdc]

Really clear description and pictures and reassures me as mine isn't up to 25000 yet!

Do Lewmar advise any maintenance or inspection on these or are they so slow wearing that it's a run until fail?

Many thanks to you and others for your kind words. I don't know if any inspection is advised but I never did any until it failed! If and when this one fails again I will replace it with a hydraulic ram as I think that would have fewer working parts which could wear-out.