Check Old Steering Idler Pulley Sheaves & Pins

[Paul D.]

Labour Day Weekend was just that. I spent it labouring on glorious boat projects that were well overdue. One was to replace the steering cable idler pulley sheave.

The steering would make a creaking noise when on a starboard tack in moderate or heavier winds. I had a cursory look under the compass and below and lubed things but couldn't track down the cause. Finally after really getting down in the hole and putting my eyes, ears and hands on things whilst turning the quadrant, I saw the tell tale pile of bronze shavings and pinpointed the noise as it had gotten more prevalent. The port side idler pulley, the one right below the pedestal, while still seemingly working fine, had much more play in it than the others.

After talking with Edson I got an aluminum idler pulley from them. It's nice to talk to people in the same firm that built your old gear and know what it is. A Bronze replacement was well over twice the price and Edson dude assured me their aluminums are designed to be as durable, we'll see. They just make more of them for newer boats as they are lighter. I removed the sheave after loosening the starboard side steering cable at the quadrant and replaced it without drama. The shape of the worn pin is worth a look.

This is good gear that had lasted nearly 40 years and countless miles in all conditions. But even though I check the steering cables every spring I had missed this until it started making noise. I feel really good about this project because ... you know just what the weather and navigation situation would be like when your steering jams!

[Frenchy]

You did good, Paul. I had the same problem, but not as bad. I'm pretty sure the bronze sheaves had oilite
bushings - that's what I replaced, along with new shafts. They were all worn a bit, but two were worse.
In the instructions, I remember there was an admonition to not overtighten the cable- you want just a
wee bit of slack so as not to overly wear the bushings and pins. Also, my inclination was to grease the
pins, but the instructions were to use oil. It's not easy to remember to oil those shafts each spring - I think
I oiled once in the last eight years. - Jean

[Paul D.]

Good to know. I would try to get some kind of oil on the pins each spring but you really want a tiny, long nosed oil spout.

It should be noted that the new idler pulley sheave pin is stainless.

[sloopjohnl]

Paul,
why not hang on to that sheave and have it bored out and press fit a new bushing, then bore or hone the bushing for a good fit to your new pin. will make a good spare part. Never liked mating stainless and aluminum in any kind of environment especially marine. oil will be essential to keep things running smooth.

[Frenchy]

No need to bore out the sheave. Those oilite bushings are standard- just press out the old and press in the new.
I think, remembering back, that the new bushings were 1/2" OD, 3'8" ID, but I could be wrong. I think the new
bushings had to be lightly sanded on the O.D. to be a nice press fit. I switched to stainless pins too - cut from
a 3/8" 303 SS bar. The 303 is a little easier to cut and drill -Jean

[Keith]

Great work Paul,

I sometimes hear strange creaking noises but like you have never been able to find the root cause. Can't wait to climb under the cockpit and check it out.

Keith

[jen1722terry]

Great post, Paul.

We check our steering every spring, but will be extra careful this coming spring to check the idler pulley for play.

We found an oil can with a long (8") flexible spout that you can bend to any curve or shape you need. Works well under the cockpit sole and for oiling the chain under the compass. NAPA, $6.

Cheers, and stay healthy!

Jenn and Terry

[sloopjohnl]

LA-CO Industries in Illinois has a ZOOM SPOUT oiler that has a small (4 oz) plastic bottle with a retractable flexible spout about 9" long containing a light (10W) oil that's good for getting into out of the way places and for ease of storage. the bottle can always be reloaded with a heavier oil if needed.

[Paul D.]

It was recommended to me by a worthy sailor to put some Maralube on the new one. I realize I don't have (or didn't remember) what the Edson guy recommended. He may have not recommended anything. This new pin/sheave may like something different than the original bronze assembly. I would think one would oil it going forward as you would need to disassemble it to grease. So it begs the question what is best to use.

[Frenchy]

Paul, I'd use the 30 weight oil Edson recommended for the original bronze sheaves/bronze pins.
Those oil cans with the long, flexible spouts pointed out in other posts should be easier to
use. - Jean