Gerry
Well-Known Member
We have a little play in our Edson steering wheel. I guess the keyway is a little worn/sloppy? What's the best/easiest way of dealing with this (simply tightening up the nut doesn't do it)?
Reducing play in Edson steering wheel
- Thread starter Gerry
- Start date
chasroberts
Well-Known Member
First thing to do is check that the play is in the keyway and not in the steering system itself. Undo the nut on the wheel and pull the wheel halfway off. With a little wiggle left and right you should be able to see if the spindle is moving with the wheel or not.
If the spindle isn't moving then yes your problem is in the keyway and this can probabbly be fairly easily sorted with a new key as that's probably where the wear is.
If the spindle is moving in time with the wheel then there is a bit of play in the steering system somewhere else. Needs investigating further to see where it is and how to rectify it. Follow the steering cables through the boat to see where you can adjust.
Don't worry too much, the solution shouldn't be too difficult to find.
Good luck
Chas
If the spindle isn't moving then yes your problem is in the keyway and this can probabbly be fairly easily sorted with a new key as that's probably where the wear is.
If the spindle is moving in time with the wheel then there is a bit of play in the steering system somewhere else. Needs investigating further to see where it is and how to rectify it. Follow the steering cables through the boat to see where you can adjust.
Don't worry too much, the solution shouldn't be too difficult to find.
Good luck
Chas
Gerry
Well-Known Member
Thanks Chas
The play is definitely in the key way because it occurs when I lock the spindle. I'll probably have to get a new key made. But I was just wondering if there was a quick and dirty fix like bashing the old one with a hammer to tighten it up?
Gerry
The play is definitely in the key way because it occurs when I lock the spindle. I'll probably have to get a new key made. But I was just wondering if there was a quick and dirty fix like bashing the old one with a hammer to tighten it up?
Gerry
D
DogWatch
Guest
If you want a bodge, wrap a few turns of insulation tape around the old key and tapered shaft, as though you were trying to stop the key falling out.. then hammer the wheel back on.
Don't know how long it will last, but it should give a quick fix for now!
Tranona
Well-Known Member
The wear may be either in the key or in the keyway in the wheel hub. You need to determine which before you work out how to fix it.
clyst
Well-Known Member
If its the normal Edson wheel set up check the circlip imediately behind the wheel is in its groove . I had similar symptons . The cause was the circlip. Easily sorted .
oceanpilgrim
Well-Known Member
just put on a few drips of red locktite will take out 90% of free play in wheel/shaft movement
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
We have an Edson wheel and had exactly the same problem. I had an oversized key made up and then sat with a flat plate and some emery cloth rubbing the new key for A LONG TIME until it 'just' squeezed into the slot in the wheel and the shaft. Its solved the problem though! I think I had two oversize key's made but the other one is even bigger and will take longer to make fit? I can have a look for it in the toolbox on the boat if you're not in a hurry?
Talulah
Well-Known Member
I am a little surprised by all this talk about keys.
Remove the wheel.
Remove the key completely.
Replace the wheel and tighten it up.
Now check for play.
With no load on the wheel the key isn't important. The tapered shaft is sufficient to hold the wheel on without free play.
Do you still have free play?
Is the free play relative to the shaft? If so it suggests that the wheel is not able to clamp up tight on to the tapered shaft. Something, a bur or whatever is in the way.
If there is no free play but it comes back once you put back the woodruff key it suggests the key itself may have a bur or similar preventing the wheel from clamping tight onto the tapered shaft.
Don't forget to put the key back in before you go sailing as it will be needed once the wheel is under load.
Remove the wheel.
Remove the key completely.
Replace the wheel and tighten it up.
Now check for play.
With no load on the wheel the key isn't important. The tapered shaft is sufficient to hold the wheel on without free play.
Do you still have free play?
Is the free play relative to the shaft? If so it suggests that the wheel is not able to clamp up tight on to the tapered shaft. Something, a bur or whatever is in the way.
If there is no free play but it comes back once you put back the woodruff key it suggests the key itself may have a bur or similar preventing the wheel from clamping tight onto the tapered shaft.
Don't forget to put the key back in before you go sailing as it will be needed once the wheel is under load.
Quandary
Well-Known Member
I had a problem with movement of the wheel spindle on an Edson pedestal, I searched for and found an exploded diagram which helped me sort the problem, though I can no longer recall the procedure. I do recall that I found it on either a Lewmar site or on the Sigma 38 site and presume that I searched for Edson Cobra by Lewmar. I may have a copy of the details somewhere though I think the original went with the boat. A big problem can be that the countersunk screws tend to be bound in to the painted alloy of the castings by corrosion.
I agree with those that point out that with a tapered shaft the condition of the key is unlikely to affect movement in the wheel. The thread on either the spindle or nut is softish metal (bronze?) so do not be tempted to overtighten it.
Edit. Apologies: A load of ballox arising from another 'senior moment', the pedestal I refer to was a Whitlock Cobra, however I still maintain that the key does not contribute to the problem if the shaft is tapered.
I agree with those that point out that with a tapered shaft the condition of the key is unlikely to affect movement in the wheel. The thread on either the spindle or nut is softish metal (bronze?) so do not be tempted to overtighten it.
Edit. Apologies: A load of ballox arising from another 'senior moment', the pedestal I refer to was a Whitlock Cobra, however I still maintain that the key does not contribute to the problem if the shaft is tapered.
Last edited:
Talulah
Well-Known Member
Edson tech support docs:
http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/techsupport.php
Exploded diagram but there are others:
http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/ped_repl_parts.php
http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/techsupport.php
Exploded diagram but there are others:
http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/ped_repl_parts.php
Quandary
Well-Known Member
I had a look again with Google, plenty of good info. and diagrams re. dismantling, servicing and maintaining both Lewmar Whitlock and Edson pedestals from the manufacturers and others.
Worth a search?
Aaah--- Talulah has kindly done it for you.
Worth a search?
Aaah--- Talulah has kindly done it for you.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Not clear from the parts diagram, but the shaft does not appear to be tapered - at least not as severe a taper as on a Lewmar shaft. If it is not tapered, then a worn key or keyway will introduce slop.
Talulah
Well-Known Member
I have an Edson of similar vintage to OP. It's tapered.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
OK, thought it would be odd not to.
Talulah
Well-Known Member
The OP really need to examine further and check where the free play actually is.
We have 'free play' on ours but it's because there is a slight slack in the cable. I could tighten it up at the rear quadrant.
The ideal thing would be to remove the compass on top of the Binnacle and look inside. Check the shaft is moving in unison with the wheel.
Hopefully the OP will come back and tell us where exactly it occured. There have already been some alternative suggestions so I'm quite interested to find out.
Gerry
Well-Known Member
Hi folks. Brilliant suggestions. Many thanks to all.
Our shaft/spindle is NOT tapered, so the play is definitely in the 960-B-171 key shown here http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/ped_repl_parts.php
I feel an oversize replacement and lot of grinding down coming on. Will report back.
Kind regards
gerry
Our shaft/spindle is NOT tapered, so the play is definitely in the 960-B-171 key shown here http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/ped_repl_parts.php
I feel an oversize replacement and lot of grinding down coming on. Will report back.
Kind regards
gerry
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
Couple of points.
Firstly our Edson doesn't have a tapered shaft for the wheel.
Secondly, I was under the impression that he had already ascertained that the play was between the wheel and the shaft. On our system, it was obvious that the play was between wheel and shaft as the nut holding the wheel on was continuously coming loose.
If we put our wheel on without a key in the keyway, the wheel turns on the shaft no matter how hard you tighten the nut up (almost).
Firstly our Edson doesn't have a tapered shaft for the wheel.
Secondly, I was under the impression that he had already ascertained that the play was between the wheel and the shaft. On our system, it was obvious that the play was between wheel and shaft as the nut holding the wheel on was continuously coming loose.
If we put our wheel on without a key in the keyway, the wheel turns on the shaft no matter how hard you tighten the nut up (almost).
Talulah
Well-Known Member
Well I live and learn. Every days a school day.
Our Edson wheel will only fit one way round due to the taper. Yours will fit either way round.
pvb
Well-Known Member
My wheel (Solimar system) had too much play. I took it off, applied Araldite, and put it back on. No play afterwards.
Oh, and yes, it can still be removed, because I took it off to stitch a leather cover on. Heated the boss up with a hot air gun to soften the glue.