Steering Linkage Between Wheel & Rudder

[psanburn]

Recently I was docking our 30+ in a big wind with 3' rollers and suddenly lost the connection between the wheel and rudder. Fortunately we docked safely and my son, who is a junior studying engineering at RPI, wormed his way under the cockpit and reconnected the cables to thier respective pulleys and we were whole again.
I think our problem was over-steering while motoring. Would this be correct and how common is it for the cables to come off the pulleys? Is there a long term solution?

Thank you.
Peter S
Bayview, ID

 

[thomthod]

That certainly makes sense that you oversteered and loosened up the quadrant. Is there a way you can put a stop on the quandrant so it does not over steer?

I have a E 29 and I dont have a cable but a universal to shaft to universal system and just tighened up the set screws to take out about 30 degrees of play. Dange steering!



T

 

[Frank Langer]

I wonder if your steering cables were a bit too loose, allowing them to jump off the pulleys. I think they should deflect about 3/4" per foot of cable, though that's from memory and others may provide more reliable comments.

Frank

 

[Tom Metzger]

More mis-information!

Edson says:

To check for proper wire tension, lock the wheel in position by using the pedestal
brake, or by tying off the wheel. Cable tension is best when you
cannot move the quadrant or drive wheel by hand with the wheel locked in place.

http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/PDFs/planning/EB381SteeringGuide.pdf Last page.

 

[Loren Beach]

Backing up a bit, it might be good to verify that the original system is actually all there and all functioning properly. Then the final adjustment of the wire tension would be more meaningful.

While the inside of the binnacle and the bicycle chain part is hard to inspect, you can check the sheaves underneath it that turn the cables 90 degrees (when I checked ours a few years ago I found that the axle bushings were badly worn and both sheaves were starting to lay over towards one side. I remove them and had them re-bushed.)
Then check the alignment with the quadrant grooves. Then verify that the stop for quadrant travel is in place and working. Then check the quadrant attachment to the shaft.

Drag your digital camera back under there with you. Anything mysterious found -- post up a pic!

Regards,
Loren

 

[CaptDan]

I wonder if your steering cables were a bit too loose, allowing them to jump off the pulleys. I think they should deflect about 3/4" per foot of cable, though that's from memory and others may provide more reliable comments.

Frank

Definately a 'high 8' on the '10 Scale.'

A few months ago, while departing the dock under power for a daysail, my wheel suddenly went slack. Fortunately, I was able to come about and dock the boat without incident, though the 'pucker factor' was well above '8.'

Turned out to be worn steering cable - replete with meathooks. (I know, I know! Deferred maintenance.) The cable had jumped off the starboard side of the quadrant. In any event, I had a rigger make up a new cable, and after a couple of afternoons in a pretzel position in the lazarette, I successfully got it installed. I followed the 3/4" deflection advice, and so far - so good. However, I'm going to check the cable again soon. I'm quite sure it stretches some.

Capt Dan G>E35II "Kunu"

 

[mherrcat]

There should be a 5/8" x 2" or so cylindrical post on top of the quadrant that engages a stop on the port and starboard side. The stops on my 30+ are pretty substantial steel angles as you can see below. The post should have a short piece of hose over it for shock absorption but I removed it for the pic. (Pic was also taken before quadrant was removed, refurbished and reinstalled...)

 

[Loren Beach]

There should be a 5/8" x 2" or so cylindrical post on top of the quadrant that engages a stop on the port and starboard side. The stops on my 30+ are pretty substantial steel angles as you can see below. The post should have a short piece of hose over it for shock absorbtion but I removed it for the pic. (Pic was also taken before quadrant was removed, refurbished and reinstalled...)

Almost identical to the quadrant on our '88.
Loren