First 40.7

I am wondering has anyone had any problems with the steering on their 40.7. Mine is a JP3 system and the specific problem is the aft bearing on the wheel drum (immediately in front of the wheel)

There is play of approximately 2mm and the steering is stiff and noisy. Presumably the bearing is worn out but I do not know the construction of the bearing or how to remove it for proper inspection.

I have tried contacting JP3 direct but they directed me to Beneteau Aftersales saying they no longer make this unit and do not have spare parts for it. Beneteau Aftersales could not help either

Has anyone any advice? I presume others may have had a similar problem.

My 40.7 was built in 2000, Hull No 258

Stephen
Tiger IRL 4077

On Incognito we have not (touch wood!) had any problems. We do have a annual maintenance regime when the boat is on the hard whereby we disconnect the entire system, drop out the rudder, clean and re-grease all the bearings, inspect the lines and other parts, re-connect everything and then re-tension the steering lines. It’s about a 2-3 hour job. We have not, luckily, had the problems you describe with the bearing on the actual wheel.

Are you sure it is this bearing causing the problem? With all the other bits and bobs it could perhaps be a problem somewhere else in the system?

Hope you sort it out.
Simon

Thanks for the reply Simon.

My problem was that I did not know what the bearing was or how to get at it and my fear was that I would damage it trying to get it out. But I have now managed to fix it.

In case anyone else has the same problem:-

After removing the six fixing bolts the whole unit slides out aft and leaves a fixed stud at the forward bearing. The aft bearing is a ball race with about thirty 8mm Delrin ball bearings. These had almost totally disintegrated and the bearing was rubbing metal to metal. New Delrin ball bearings about €60 for 200 (minimum pack size!) and all now perfect.

A possible upgrade is to go for Torlon balls available from Harken but I will check it regularly over the season and see how the Delrin survives.

We had a similar problem on Playing Around. After you take off the strop, you can remove the bearing assy by undoing the screws at the aft end of binnacle - take care as it can all come apart in your hands.

You will probably need new ball bearings, and I suggest getting Torlon ones as they can take higher loads and last much longer. If the original Delrin ones have gone or disintegrated, you may have to carefully file the ball-race to get as good a fit as possible.

Good luck!

Peter