Grenada - Clarke's Court Marina Day 2
Rainmaker
Donald Macdonald
Wed 27 Jan 2021 22:01
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Pedestal removed and took longer than expected.
Initially had to clear my bunk area and more all stores, medical stuff etc. The
loosening of the cables no problem. Removing plotter from pedestal guard good,
removing compass to get access to water guard plate and its removal all good.
Now little problems as unable to get both screws out of wheel brake bracket
worked around that one and will stay in. My expected problem to remove tapered
pin through shaft worked like a dream. Then to pull the shaft out having aligned
all washers etc would not pull through although you could see nothing binding.
After a couple of hours decided to tap with hammer (favourite tool) the bronze
cog drive (not a good idea really) as well as pulling shaft. Half a dozen taps
and I could see the slightest movement through the tapered pin hole, a few more
taps and it was out, plus half the needle bearings on the floor. The most aft
needle bearing had done a lot of rubbing and also made a marked ridge in the
housing. Next was to remove the pedestal, just 4 bolts securing it to the
cockpit sole. Only one bolt came out with a hammer. Again anther hour hammering
the others nothing. Then went on the scrounge for a hydraulic jack. About 10
minutes later had borrowed one. A good strong wooden beam to put jack found then
socket set extension bars to make up for the shortfall in height and pumped
jack. Nothing happened even with 3 tons of pressure. Moved around the bolts
eventually one moved so went back to the others adding more pressure, they all
moved. On removal all 3 problem bolts had bad corrosion and wasted to about 40%
diameter, all will need replacing.
The problem we have now is to put back together a
rebuild kit is required. The local chandlery approached will need to ait till
Monday if can be got because the man that orders not in until then. The pedestal
has been dropped off at the engineering facility here to have the worn bits
reamed and bushed.
We may be here over week now waiting for parts. When
arrive should only be an hour to install as pedestal will already be back in
place.
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