Play in whitlock cobra wheel steering

[PaulR]

Slight play in the steering (can move wheel rim a few mm each way without moving the steering arm/rudder)
Whitlock instructions explain how to remove the gaskets between the wheel mounting boss and the main steering pedestal to take out the play but only one left - not sure whether solution if removing that one does not eliminate the play is then to have the conical shaped gear that goes into the steering collumn remachined (is this possible?) or replace it or live with the slight play- anyone had experience of this and got a good solution?

 

[boatmike]

Any gear drive will need a little clearance. depends what a few mm means. If you are measuring play at the wheel rim in mm it will represent a very small clearance at the gear itself.

 

[Skysail]

Whitlock refurbished / replaced our Cobra wheel bearings at a very reasonable price - all play was removed. Bit of a struggle taking it out as the SS screws are into aluminium. The manual asks you to disassemble the housing once a year!

 

[brianhumber]

Re: Play in whitlock cobra wheel steering - Big Bucks to Replace

Removing the gaskets 'pushes' the conical gear further into the half circle worm. Both are brass and wear over the years.

As others have said, removing the fixing screws can be a bitch if you have not been doing this every year.

The wheel also has a bearing in the hub - I would advise to check these as well if it is an old Cobra.

I replaced mine ( when some 12 years old) as the overall wear meant I had slop all over. Taking into account the Barras Cobra was a special with extended base the cost was about £800, DIY fit which meant a couple of happy weekends being a contortionist. Doing it through a Marine maintenance company I would allow a pound of cost and a pound of labour ie you are looking at £1,500 all up

happy weekend

Brian

 

[squidge]

Re: Play in whitlock cobra wheel steering - Big Bucks to Replace

http://www.scanmar-yachts.com/Articles.html

The above link has info in the cobra system.
Mine has steel gear and the play was in the bearings not the gears.I am sorry to say that you will have to investigate further.
Good luck