[C320-list] Steering Quadrant: 5-6 hours to replace?

[Jeff Hare]

I've never done it.  However, I'd bet a novice with a pair of wrenches could do the job in an hour or two.  I'd rate it a 2 beer job including retensioning the steering. 

One thing I would do is find a way to keep enough tension on the cables before/during/after you remove them from the quadrant so that the chain stays on the steering gears.   

For starters I'd make sure the rudder is centered and locked. (Engage the Autopilot lock too)  I'd also take a sharpie marker and mark the position of the rudder post on the tube so you can be sure its aligned the same way when you put the cables back. 

The quadrant itself looks like an "easy" replacement if you can squeeze in there and sit.  :)

All that said, I've never done the job. 

-Jeff
------Original Message------
From: Kevin
Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
ReplyTo: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Steering Quadrant: 5-6 hours to replace?
Sent: Mar 16, 2010 3:17 PM

I'm bumping this week-old question in the hope that someone might know a bit about replacing the steering quadrant.

Thanks.

Kevin
S/V Cecilia Ann, #211
Deale, MD
http://kevjot.com/boat/




________________________________
From: Kevin
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 5:45:50 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Steering Quadrant: 5-6 hours to replace?

I have a small crack in the steering quadrant in my '95 C320. I got an estimate from my boatyard guys of 5-6 hours labor to replace it.

Question to those of you experienced with this: Is that reasonable? It does seem like a bit of a tricky exercise and I have never done it, but my gut feeling is that 2-3 hours should suffice for an experienced hand. Am I off base?

If it's really going to cost me $425-510 (at their $85/hour rate) that is motivation to have a crack at it myself, if it's something that can be tackled by a novice.

Thoughts?

Thanks much.

Kevin
S/V Cecilia Ann, #211
Deale, MD
http://kevjot.com/boat/