ChrisP
Well-Known Member
Ok here it is as demanded by Pauline B.
Over the past few weeks the love of my life, ( and only SWMBO would think that I’m talking about her) has been suffering from a leaking steering wheel shaft seal.
Having been told at the SBS that only Vetus wheels fit Vetus systems due to the size of the shaft etc. and having Vetus written across the wheel. I assumed that it was a Vetus system and ordered the required parts. Great service and price from the Southampton agents. Ta.
Suzanne picks up the bits on Friday and we’re ready to go.
Saturday morning over comes Mr B. 2 cups of coffee and general boat chat for ½ an hour and we’re ready to go. Everything that even remotely resembles a tool is brought up from the lazerette to make sure we have everything to hand for the job.
Off comes the wheel and the little plate on the front to reveal what looks like an “o” ring seal. Nothing like the new one, which is a proper spring loaded lip seal thing. Bugger we’re going to have to strip the pump like they told us at the show.
Down comes the ceiling in the middle cabin to reveal the offending pump beautifully laid out to ensure that the only spanner that fits the pipe unions is 5mm too long to get a decent turn on the nuts.
1 Hour and 20mins later pump is on the saloon table. Yes, the table was covered in 2 towels 2 copies of the News of the World and ½ a roll of kitchen paper. More concern, the sealing gasket I bought was round and the pump’s square. Maybe it’s round inside. Undo all the fixings and ready to split the casing. Apply screwdriver and fine adjustment tool (Mooring hammer). Top pops off and springs, pump pistons oil and various other seals ball bearings and shrapnel, leap from the casing with the sole intention of dispersing themselves to every inaccessible location in the boat.
A period of searching cursing and coffee drinking takes place.
Pump finally disassembled and no oil seal found. All that’s there is an “o” ring and yes you’ve guessed it, it’s the same one we saw from the front of the unit when we took the wheel off.
The following minute’s conversation has been deleted in respect to the editors’ young imagination.
Off to Feltam marine for 30p “o” ring which is fitted from the front of the pump unit. As pointed out by my Oh so knowledgeable wife.
Re-assemble the pump. Inspite of the resistance from the newly recaptured springs etc. and refit it in the dash board. It is now that find that all the copper pipes which have for so long, lived in harmony with their respective connections on the pump. Had a total breakdown in relations and have vowed never to connect to their allocated locations. Much loss of skin, temper, spanners, torches, all to the accompaniment of Mrs P asking if we’d finished yet.
Pipes on, time to refill and bleed the system. As what Mr B and I felt was justifiable retribution. Mrs. P is sent off with bottle of oil to remove fly bridge cover, turn the wheel and top up system required. Well how were we to know it was blowing an arctic gale with showers of tempest proportions. Serves her right for being such a cleaver dicky.
System filled time to bleed the steering ram. Oh S**T the systems not a Vetus one it’s Sea Steer and it’s self bleeding.
Much moaning and knashing of teeth. That bloody woman won’t stop laughing.
Tools returned to their black hole and much beer consumed.
So there you have it. How to take 6 hours to do what could have been a 5 minute job.
Anybody know who stocks “SEA STEER” bits as I’d like a manual and a couple of spares.
ChrisP
What do you mean the sea gull in front's walking !!!
Over the past few weeks the love of my life, ( and only SWMBO would think that I’m talking about her) has been suffering from a leaking steering wheel shaft seal.
Having been told at the SBS that only Vetus wheels fit Vetus systems due to the size of the shaft etc. and having Vetus written across the wheel. I assumed that it was a Vetus system and ordered the required parts. Great service and price from the Southampton agents. Ta.
Suzanne picks up the bits on Friday and we’re ready to go.
Saturday morning over comes Mr B. 2 cups of coffee and general boat chat for ½ an hour and we’re ready to go. Everything that even remotely resembles a tool is brought up from the lazerette to make sure we have everything to hand for the job.
Off comes the wheel and the little plate on the front to reveal what looks like an “o” ring seal. Nothing like the new one, which is a proper spring loaded lip seal thing. Bugger we’re going to have to strip the pump like they told us at the show.
Down comes the ceiling in the middle cabin to reveal the offending pump beautifully laid out to ensure that the only spanner that fits the pipe unions is 5mm too long to get a decent turn on the nuts.
1 Hour and 20mins later pump is on the saloon table. Yes, the table was covered in 2 towels 2 copies of the News of the World and ½ a roll of kitchen paper. More concern, the sealing gasket I bought was round and the pump’s square. Maybe it’s round inside. Undo all the fixings and ready to split the casing. Apply screwdriver and fine adjustment tool (Mooring hammer). Top pops off and springs, pump pistons oil and various other seals ball bearings and shrapnel, leap from the casing with the sole intention of dispersing themselves to every inaccessible location in the boat.
A period of searching cursing and coffee drinking takes place.
Pump finally disassembled and no oil seal found. All that’s there is an “o” ring and yes you’ve guessed it, it’s the same one we saw from the front of the unit when we took the wheel off.
The following minute’s conversation has been deleted in respect to the editors’ young imagination.
Off to Feltam marine for 30p “o” ring which is fitted from the front of the pump unit. As pointed out by my Oh so knowledgeable wife.
Re-assemble the pump. Inspite of the resistance from the newly recaptured springs etc. and refit it in the dash board. It is now that find that all the copper pipes which have for so long, lived in harmony with their respective connections on the pump. Had a total breakdown in relations and have vowed never to connect to their allocated locations. Much loss of skin, temper, spanners, torches, all to the accompaniment of Mrs P asking if we’d finished yet.
Pipes on, time to refill and bleed the system. As what Mr B and I felt was justifiable retribution. Mrs. P is sent off with bottle of oil to remove fly bridge cover, turn the wheel and top up system required. Well how were we to know it was blowing an arctic gale with showers of tempest proportions. Serves her right for being such a cleaver dicky.
System filled time to bleed the steering ram. Oh S**T the systems not a Vetus one it’s Sea Steer and it’s self bleeding.
Much moaning and knashing of teeth. That bloody woman won’t stop laughing.
Tools returned to their black hole and much beer consumed.
So there you have it. How to take 6 hours to do what could have been a 5 minute job.
Anybody know who stocks “SEA STEER” bits as I’d like a manual and a couple of spares.
ChrisP
What do you mean the sea gull in front's walking !!!
