Retaining clip in cockpit

[jbondy]

When sailing the other night, we heard the sound of a metal piece hitting the cockpit floor. Not good, the idea of metal boat parts falling around us! Anyway, what we found were 3 pieces of what looks like a retaining clip, the spring kind that sits in a groove around a shaft, about 1" in diameter. This started a scramble to find what was about to fall apart. The only place we could find near where the part fell was the steering pedestal. It looks to be the snap ring from the wheel shaft where it exits the pedestal, but when we look at the shaft, it appears there is already a clip there. On the Edson site

(http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/P...eringGuide.pdf),

where they list the part (snap ring A-660), there is a 2 in parentheses. Does anyone know if this means there are supposed to be two of them there? Alternatively, it might be that there is one on the inside and one on the outside of the pedestal. If so, it would have been the outside one that broke since it fell in the cockpit. In either case, I hope we are not in imminent danger of the thing falling apart while we await a new part. If there are two on the outside, we probably are OK for a while. If there are not, and it looks like there already is one there, then I'm at a loss as to what happened. Does anyone have any insight on this?

We just had a Raymarine Wheel Pilot installed alomng with a new pedestal guard, so work was done in that area.

TIA

[sailingdog]

The only problem I see from the diagram is that the snap rings appear to hold and locate one of the bearings for the steering wheel shaft. If that is the case, make damn sure the bearing doesn't slide or move out of position until you get the snap ring re-installed. If you look at the drawing, you'll see there's a gap between the two snap ring positions that appears to be the same width apart as the bearing (A140) is in size.

I don't believe there are supposed to be two snap rings in a single location. It maybe that the PO, when servicing the wheel, thought there were supposed to be two in that location and installed two, even though the diagram shows them spaced apart fairly widely. That may be the reason you have one still in place.

[jbondy]

Thanks. If there really is one in place there (I'll confirm this afternoon), then I'm probably OK.

Everytime I find myself wanting to cuss those d*mn POs, I realize there's at least one guy out there probably cussing me.

[jbondy]

Finally found where the snap ring is supposed to go. Not on either side of the bearing for the steering shaft, but to prevent the wheel from sliding too far onto the shaft.

I tried to order the replacement ring from Edson's web site. They have it for $8, but have a minimum order of $20. I called and they sent me 3 for free. Way to go Edson.

Now to install the replacement. The ring is basically a C with a tiny opening. Does anyone know if these snap rings can be opened laterally enough to fit over the shaft? That seems like the only way to get it on there, but I'm worried it will bend when I try that.

TIA,

[sailingdog]

Take the wheel off.. and then slip it over the end..

[blt2ski]

You could probably do as SD says, remove the wheel, then again, many times snap rings need to be installed with the item it is holding in place. In which case, there are special pliers that will open the snap ring such that it can be put into place. usually the snap ring will have two holes in the open end, such that the pliers with two bent 90* ends can go into the hole, then open the snap ring.

I am not sure what your snap ring really looks like, or how it is truly installed, it may in actuality take both removal of the wheel, and the special pliers! Altho I have succeeded a few times with general needle nose pliers in opening a snap ring too.

Good luck
Marty

[sailingdog]

Most c-clips won't open to the diameter of the object their going to go on without distorting permanently.

[timebandit]

If the ring is made from round stock (wire) then take the wheel off and slide on from the end of the shaft.

If the ring is made of flat stock with small pips on each end and one in the center on the inside of the "C" than just offer it to the slot and push on with a pair of pliers untill you hear it click. If installed corectly you should be able to move it around in the slot with your fingers, if not chedk to see if the pip in the center is all the way in the grove.

If the ring is flat with holes in the end use snap ring pliers and start at the end of the shaft or just get the ring started on the end of the shaft and then use regular pliers sideways to just push the ring down the shaft to the slot.

Place the sharp side of the ring towards the pedistal.

Rick