> When I removed the EDSON 335 pedestal, there was a swaged wire fitted to > the quadrant and attached to the chain. When I sent this to EDSON, they > said that is not an EDSON setup, and that all EDSON set ups use SS wire, > thimbles and nicropress sleees. > > Is that what other listers have? > Why pay EDSON their big fee when you can get those parts easily at a good > hardware store, or chandlery? > > ALEX GIANNELIA > > CC 35-II (1974) WILL BE RENAMED > ON THE HARD SINCE NOV. 2006 > Toronto Ontario > I just rebuilt Honey's entire Edson steering system. The entire parts kit including next day FedEx costs USD 1,122.00. The new chain & cable kit with the wires properly swaged and shrinkwrapped including all of the quadrant clamps was USD 268.00. According to Edson's support tech the safe average life span of the chain and cable is 10 years. Mine was 20 years old and looked great right up until we bent the cable and watch little pieces of wire begin to pop up. The chain was stretched as well...The only 2 pieces that we did not replace was the wheel shaft and wheel nut... Edson's service was excellent, they even sent me a copy of the original steering plan for my original builder's file. If you call them, ask for Adam Cove.. Jack Fitzgerald HONEY C&C 39 TM
Alan; The cable tension and wheel centring adjustments are done where the cables attach to the quadrant. Generally there are long threaded sections on the ends of the cables with adjusting nuts on them where they pass through the quadrant. Nothing was wrong with the cables on Windburn ( 77' C&C 30 ) but as part of ongoing maintenance I replaced them. I took the old SS wire rope into Sobstad Barrie and they swaged up a new set. Mine have the threaded section that goes through a hole on the quadrant and are adjusted with nuts. There is also a safety cotter pin in the end in addition to a locking nut. So - yes. SS wire, thimble and nicropress sleeves on one end and swaged threaded shaft on the other. The bronze axle shaft at the bottom of the pedestal that routes the cables back to the quadrant had worn about 40% through. Sheaves were OK. I soaked the chain for a few weeks in light oil then inspected it for wear and stretch. The chain and sprocket both looked fine so were not replaced. For a 30' boat that generally has light steering the chain appears to be very robust. The chain does not stretch in the sense that a rope or cable will stretch but it may get longer if it wears. If the links feel "sloppy" or will wiggly side to side, or have visible wear on the sprocket mating surface ( or rust - binding ... ) then replacement is likely warranted. If the chain feels firm side to side, has no slop but does flow smoothly around a shaft ( screwdriver ) then it may be OK. Note that a correct oil is recommended for the chain not grease. When you have everything back together and centered turn the wheel over hard until it is on the stop and apply as much pressure on the wheel as you may encounter in heavy seas. Have someone below check the unloaded side cable. When pressed firmly with a finger the cable should have the slightest deflection in it. The pedestal shaft rebuild kit is around $50 and easy to install. Mike Windburn C&C 30-1
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