Association Forum - Wheel noise

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Wheel noise

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

WindDancer
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
34 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/17/2006 : 11:28:58

The other day while sailing in 15 k wind, while rounding a mark I heard a very lound noise from the wheel/rudder area. I believe that this noise was the chain sprocket jumbing. Does this sound right? I checked the eye bolts and joining shaft pin for damage, none found; however, now while at the helm I can hear a chain every now and then clinking inside the tubing below the wheel, but not all the time.

So my question is what do I need to do if anything at this point in time. The boat sails and steers fine.

Any suggestions

Thanks
Bruce
Wind Dancer
#861

Bruce and Suzette
Five O' Clock Somewhere
2006 C250WB #861
Clearlake Ca

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2006 : 11:45:36

Bruce, I think you have diagnosed cause of the noise correctly... it was the chain jumping the sprocket when a heavy load was applied to the wheel, which means that there is too much play in the system.

The play may be caused by inward bending of the transom mounting bracket in the aft compartment. The fix options are to stabilize the bracket for the stress levels typical to your sailing conditions, some have said they use a wood spreader between the arms of the bracket to hold them from bending inward. Perhaps someone has a picture of this being done.

A more drastic option is to replace the cable system with an open wire conversion. The conversion adds an extension to the rudder arm as well as providing arc compensation that eliminates play in the system. The additional arm length doubles the wheel to rudder ratio thereby reducing the effort needed to control the rudder. The result is a much easier helm that doesn't get overloaded.

While checking the play, several have noted that the cables were connected to the wrong side of the pin that connects to the rudder arm so this should be checked as well as ensuring that the pin through the rudder arm is greased so that it doesn't freeze in the rudder arm. It should turn freely or it will cause flexing of the cable adjuster bolts and ultimately fatique and breaking.

Adjust the tension for firm cables while the rudder is swung hard over. Ensuring that there is no play at the hard over position should limit center play to such that the chain will not jump the sprocket.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 05/17/2006 11:59:34

welshoff
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2006 : 14:42:54

Bruce,
Also, if your chain "jumped" on the sprocket, your wheel will no longer be centered when the rudder is centered.

I had to loosen the cables, remove the compass, and move the chain on the sprocket to get everything back to center (wheel/rudder). Then I readjusted the cables and greased the pin at the rudder arm. Now with cables properly adjusted and pin greased/lubricated, the helm is more responsive and I have not had the chain "jump" again.

As Arlyn noted, make sure cables go to the respective top/bottom of the rudder arm.