steering cables

[HarbourBoy]

Hi there

In the process of replacing the steering cables on my Bayfield 29 I discovered that the eyebolts used for tensioning the cables seem to be corroded to the quadrant. I can back off the nuts but the eyebolts are completely seized. Any idea how to "unseize" them? Do I have to remove the quadrant? If so do I have to drop the rudder to do that? It looks to me like the quadrant is in two halves and I'm cautiously hoping I won't have to drop the rudder. Any advice?

[sailingdog]

PB BLaster. Let it sit for a few days...spraying it a bit more each day... for about a week... then they'll probably come loose.

[Freesail99]

Is it an Edson ? This months Practical sailor talked about the idler pulley assembly succumbing to corrosion. It jams like the cables aren't working. They used a steel backing plate which rotted away. They now offer an aluminum replacement.

[sailboy21]

Hammer... Put a chisel somewhere on the eye bolt which when hit, will cause counter clockwise rotation. Lightly tap with a machinist hammer. Bronze and SS shouldn't seize like this. when you replace the eyebolts, make sure you get the real thing 316 SS with a welded eye. Please please tell us they don't look like this:

Make sure you clean everything well, and spray corrosion block, lanocote, tef-gel something like that when you put it back together. The next owner will thank you.

[HarbourBoy]

Thanks for the information,

sailingdog, i looked up pb blaster and it seems like it's only available for purchase in the U.S.A. and I'm in Canada unfortunately. I'll try to find some similar penertrating oil though.

sailboy21 i'm no expert on sailboat maintenance. I'm still near the start of the learning curve ... but that photo kind of looks like the eyebolts that are in the quadrant. there is no obvious corrosion. the eyebolts look like stainless and look like they're in good shape but they are definitely seized. The quadrant is not bronze ... looks like cast aluminum (??)

I will try a penetrating oil, light tapping with hammer and chisel approach. and I'll take your advice on cleaning everything up before reassembling.

Thank you all ... much appreciated.

[dougyoung]

Apply heat from a heat gun to the quadrant, s-l-o-w-l-y. Wiggle the eye bolt back and forth. Due this after you have applied the penetrating oil. Don't light yourself on fire.

Good Luck.

[sailboy21]

Originally Posted by HarbourBoy

sailboy21 i'm no expert on sailboat maintenance. I'm still near the start of the learning curve ... but that photo kind of looks like the eyebolts that are in the quadrant. there is no obvious corrosion. the eyebolts look like stainless and look like they're in good shape but they are definitely seized. The quadrant is not bronze ... looks like cast aluminum (??)

I will try a penetrating oil, light tapping with hammer and chisel approach. and I'll take your advice on cleaning everything up before reassembling.

Thank you all ... much appreciated.

To clarify, make sure the eyebolts are welded at the eye, or forged, and not the common hardware store variety. Cheap eye bolts just bent like the one I posted have no place on a sailboat. Also, if you don't damage them during removal and want to re-use them, make sure they do not attract a magnet in anyway. Also, clean them bright and shiny, and inspect for cracks in the metal, esp. where they were in the quadrant. Don't take chances here. If in doubt take them to a welding shop and have them do a dye-penetrate test. Aluminum would explain the corrosion issue... If you go crazy with a blow torch DO NOT heat the aluminum. All aluminum quadrants I know of have been heat treated, re-heating may cause severe (around 50% ultimate tensile strength) and irraversable weakening. That said, wouldn't hurt to do a dye-penetrate test on the quadrant too.

[billangiep]

Harbour, For what it's worth the quadrant on my B32 is made of bronze. It should come off easily enough after removing the four bolts, being careful not to loose the key. This should give you enough slack in the cable to work on the eye bolts from the cockpit lazaret.
Bill,

[killarney_sailor]

Originally Posted by HarbourBoy

Thanks for the information,

sailingdog, i looked up pb blaster and it seems like it's only available for purchase in the U.S.A. and I'm in Canada unfortunately. I'll try to find some similar penertrating oil though.

.

I have purchased PB Blaster in Canada - I think at Canadian Tire