[C320-list] Fw: Leaking Richie compass

[Scott Thompson]

I tried removing mine two years back while at anchor in the middle of a 
cruise.  (Steering maintenance seemed like a good way to kill a rainy 
day.)  Three came out with not too much difficulty but the fourth became 
so tight after two or three turns as I backed it out that I feared 
breaking it.  Either it was cross threaded or Edson made a very poor 
design decision by using very long stainless screws into aluminum, 
leading to inevitable corrosion.  I eventually decided to retighten 
rather than risk having a broken steering pedestal while at anchor in a 
remote creek.  Thanks for reminding me that I've got to tackle and solve 
this.

By the way, does anyone have a good reference for someone to swing a 
compass in the Annapolis area?


Jeff Church wrote:
> Rollie,
> 
> I removed mine last week. All 4 screws were stuck. They would turn very 
> slightly and then freeze up solid. I sprayed WD40, tightened the screw back 
> down and loosened again. After about 10 cycles of spraying, tightening and 
> loosening, the screw finally came out, barely. A couple more cycles and the 
> screw heads would have been hopelessly stripped.
> 
> The screws are 2 or 3 inches long and pass through a couple of assemblies 
> before they reach a treaded piece. It takes a lot of WD40 (or other lube) to 
> get enough of it to travel all the way down the length of the screw.
> 
> You might want to try using an impact screwdriver for the loosening part of 
> the above process. It will help to avoid stripping the screw heads.
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> JeffC
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "A. R. Gates" <argates2nd at earthlink.net>
> To: "C320-List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 10:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fw: Leaking Richie compass
> 
> 
>> I am trying to remove the 4 large screws below this Richie/Danforth compass 
>> to gain access to the steering chain below.  The screws are so tight that 
>> liquid wrench and hammer tapping plus muscle with a large screwdriver will 
>> not make them budge.  Any suggestions?
>> Rollie  #182,  1995
>>
> 
> 
> !!- _______________________________________
> !!- C320-List at catalina320.com mailing list
> !!- Archives Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/archives
> !!- Change Subscription Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/change
> !!- Subscribe Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/join