How do I get a Lewmar Wheel off?

Sharkx

Sharkx

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I need to repair my Raymarine autopilot. I have to remove the wheel in order to get into it.

I have taken off the outer hub with the five Allen screws, and the nut with the winch fitting in it. The wheel is still stuck on with no other obvious things to do.

Anyone have experience with this?
It is on a Bavaria 30.

I have pics but I'm currently on the boat using a phone to write this.
 
Hit it :)

If it's anything like mine the wheel fits onto a tapered shaft with a key to hold it in place.

OK ... don't hit it but a bit of gentle persuasion should do it.

Grease lightly when refitting.
 
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The photo is almost identical to my setup. How do you mean a key? I can see a groove but it doesn't look like it should be used for any thing.
I'll attach a photo when I get home
 
No need to undo the allen screws. Just unscrew the white tension knob, undo the nut with a winch handle and pull the wheel off. As Bav 34 says it is on a taper with a woodruf key so that it always stays in the same place. If it has not been off for some time and the lock nut was very tight it may be difficult to shift initially. Once it has moved on the taper it will pop off. You could use a puller if it is really stuck.
 
Above is correct, my wheel (also a B30) slips off easily. It is quite handy if you are berthed stern on as you can remove the wheel and set it to one side. It then leaves you clear access to walk on and off without climbing around the wheel.
P.S. No I wouldn't leave the boat unattended with the wheel sitting there saying to the opportunist "take me, take me"
 
Or you might need a puller.

Watch out for the key sitting in a little slot in the shaft. A little half moon shaped thing if its Woodruff key

When you refit it fit the key in its slot with the straight edge parallel with the axis of the shaft, not parallel with the tapered surface.
 
I'll give it some persuasion tomorrow. With WD-40 and some swearing.

Here is a pic of how far I got, I assume the notch at 12 O'Clock is the key groove.
 
Sharkx said:
I'll give it some persuasion tomorrow. With WD-40 and some swearing.

Here is a pic of how far I got, I assume the notch at 12 O'Clock is the key groove.
Click to expand...
Put the hub with the 6 allen screws back on, its not necessary to take those off. The big nut on the shaft with the woodruff key is what holds it on
Stu
 
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