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Edison pedestal clunking

Vtonian

Vtonian

E38 - Vashon
Hi folks,

I've got an Edson pedestal on the E38 and it recently started making a clunk sound as the wheel passes top dead center. It does it on any revolution and only as it passes TDC, so I'm assuming the clunk is not being caused by anything below wheel shaft, as I don't think anything else down there coincides with TDC of the wheel.

It also feels like it is directionally different: rotating one way it's softer and smoother, the other it hangs up harder and clunks harder. Kind of like if whatever is causing it is angled, so it catches more in one direction than the other.

I've removed the compass and can look at the top of the internals and don't see anything that looks like it could cause this. Doing my best boat yoga, I can't see or feel anything below with the shafts, quadrant, autopilot, etc that might cause this. Only thing I can think of might be if the chain gear at the base of the quadrant is the same size as the top one, maybe something is happening to it that would also occur at TDC of the wheel. I haven't been able to see that though... yet. I can deploy more cameras on a stick or bore scopes, just thinking maybe someone has been down this road before.

Waaaay down on my todo list is lifting the pedestal and doing the Williams Pedestal Base refit, as mine has corroded to the point of only 2 bolts left holding the flange, but I was hoping to sneak another season in before that tear down, and I already have a full winter's project list.

Anyone have a suggestion what it might be, and/or how to diagnose it w/o lifting the pedestal?

Thanks much.

Matthew
 
Christian Williams

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
My first check would be the top rudder post bearing--the plate on the cockpit floor just aft of the binnacle base.

It is easy for the underside collar to become loose, which causes the top of the rudder post to wobble, and "clunk," as the wheel is turned (or when sailing).

There are underside nuts on the four machine screws of the bearing. They get loose, and can only be observed and tightened from under the cockpit.

I suggest removing the plate and observing the rudder tube as the wheel is turned. Any wobble should be obvious.

Ericson rudder tube upper bearing .png
Upper bearing with missing nut
 
Vtonian

Vtonian

E38 - Vashon
Christian Williams said:
My first check would be the top rudder post bearing--the plate on the cockpit floor just aft of the binnacle base.

It is easy for the underside collar to become loose, which causes the top of the rudder post to wobble, and "clunk," as the wheel is turned (or when sailing).

There are underside nuts on the four machine screws of the bearing. They get loose, and can only be observed and tightened from under the cockpit.

I suggest removing the plate and observing the rudder tube as the wheel is turned. Any wobble should be obvious.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I will check that tomorrow.
 
Vtonian

Vtonian

E38 - Vashon
whelp, nope, no ppst wobble, and the noise does seem to be coming from the pedestal, although I couldnt say which end. scheduling a new session of boat yoga...
 
F

Frank Langer

1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Is there any chance that as you turn the wheel your rudder is hitting something--a bent propeller, loose zinc, stuck piece of wood, etc. Or has some equipment in your locker shifted so it's getting in the way of the quadrant as it turns? It seems that careful detective work is needed, perhaps with you inside the cockpit locker while someone else turns the wheel.
Frank
 
Vtonian

Vtonian

E38 - Vashon
I thought if that first and cleared the lockers to check, but as it only happens as the wheel passes TDC, and does it on every revolution (which would equate to 3 different positions of the rudder/steering gear below the wheel shaft, that seems like would be a remarkable coincidence.
Not out of the question though... As soon as I get limbered up enough, I'll skootch down there and check whuzzup.
Thanks much.
 
Vtonian

Vtonian

E38 - Vashon
woot, found it. pulled the compass holder off and could see that the chain binds on one tooth of the sprocket, as the chain pulls on and off while the wheel rotates to that point. haven't found why yet but at least I know where and wont worry about it too much until i can get to it. prolly slathering it with lube will help for now.

thanks folks. so comforting to have y'all around with E-tech knowledge.
 
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Vtonian

Vtonian

E38 - Vashon
Frank Langer said:
Good job finding that! And nice to post a video, as I don't think that's ever come up on this site. Hard to imagine what might cause that to happen, but a good lube oil might be worth trying. If not, I agree with Christian to pull the chain for inspection.
Frank
Click to expand...
I watched The Rigging Doctor service his winches just using this Finish Line stuff, so bought it to try for that. It's supposed to stick on good, resist water and have a viscosity good enough for all the bearings and even the pawls in a winch. He did say he services his regularly though, so no slacking on maintenance allowed, which is fine by me.
 
F

Frank Langer

1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Vtonian said:
I watched The Rigging Doctor service his winches just using this Finish Line stuff, so bought it to try for that. It's supposed to stick on good, resist water and have a viscosity good enough for all the bearings and even the pawls in a winch. He did say he services his regularly though, so no slacking on maintenance allowed, which is fine by me.
Click to expand...
That lubricant looks pretty good. If you have a wheel brake, be careful not to get lubricant on that part of the shaft, as the brake will not hold well if lubricated.
Frank
 
Bolo

Bolo

Contributing Partner
Frank Langer said:
Good job finding that! And nice to post a video, as I don't think that's ever come up on this site. Hard to imagine what might cause that to happen, but a good lube oil might be worth trying. If not, I agree with Christian to pull the chain for inspection.
Frank
Click to expand...
Looking at your video it seems that the sprocket teeth might have some corrosion on them, hard to tell. You might have to remove the sprocket and give a good “dental” cleaning to those teeth. Corrosion can get very hard sometimes much like you would see inside a winch that haven’t been serviced for a long time. It’s all very interesting and like someone has already posted, I think a problem like this has never been pointed out before on this site.
 
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