raymarine autopilot bearing fall out !!

[pcatterall]

My mate is on board and reports that while in use the ball bearings all ran out of the (wheel steering) auto pilot.

I had notice a crack in the plastic covering but assumed that this was just a cosmetic cover.

The wheel steering itself is fine and not being on site I can offer no further information.

He will bring any bits back and all the details about model number etc but meanwhile

I Just wondered if this was something that other users may have experienced
and what parts we may need to take back to Spain with us?
​

 

[Richard10002]

What model is it? Linear Drive like this?

http://www.cactusnav.com/raymarine-type-linear-drive-p-226.html

If so, it’s hard to see how the balls get out and, unfortunately, if they do get out, it’s a big job to get them back in?

Between 2007 and 2009, I had one of these apart more times that I’ve had hot dinners, somam fairly familiar with their innards, and will probably never forget.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks Richard, I am waiting for my chum to respond with the model number. It is a wheel pilot similar to the 'evolution model'

There is a big plastic ring mounted to the 3 spoke wheel. I had noticed the ring was cracked near a fixing hole but, as I said, I thought it was just a cover.
Possibly the bearings were retained somehow by the case.

The documentation I see refers to regular removal, wash out etc . We have not touched it in 5 years but it is under the dog house and like us old softies is rarely exposed to nasty wet salt water!
I will see what bits my mate brings back and get onto the manufacturer. From what I can see in the manual it does not look too difficult to remove the unit and cover to clean out the belt and , hopefully get at the bearings.

Many thanks

 

[Richard10002]

Not a Linear Drive then. You can ignore what I said

 

[jwilson]

The "big plastic ring" is in two halves and one half is the bearing cage, ball bearings held against it by an inner metal ring and three strange plastic clips. Unless you can externally fix the cracked plastic (epoxy and glass?) you'll need a new part, which might be surprisingly expensive as I think it includes part of the motor drive gearbox.

I have two of these drives: the one in use on the boat gets a fair bit of use and when it goes wrong as it does, I do a 10 minute swap, then take faulty one home to sort out.