Lewmar steering

[andylipsberg]

Hi there, I have an issue with wobbly steering from side to side, few milimiters of play, but gets annoying. The screws are tight and I assume there is something going on in the pedestal.

Are there any servicable parts or anything specific on how I can solve the problem. It doesn’t affect the steering itself but I don’t want to leave it like that as there might be something worn out.

Please advise.

 

[Supertramp]

You need to discover where the play is - it could be in the pedestal chain (assuming it is a chain) or in the bevel gear boxes and rod joints between the pedestal and quadrant. You may need a helper to turn the wheel as you check for slack.

I had play in my outside helm bevel gearbox, annoying as you say. It's a relatively easy job to loosen joints and drop the gearbox flange casing off and adjust the number of shims. Mine had 4 thin shims, one out removed the play.

The lower grey part unbolts and drops away with the top of the shaft. But the offending box was less accessible.



The devil is in getting access to the offending part of the system which for this gearbox involved cutting away woodwork. Others are deep in the bowels of my boat (I have two helms).