Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-30-2018, 03:35 PM   #1
Ensign
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Default Straightening steering wheel with keyway

Our steering wheel on our 2000 Maxum 1800sr is not centered. Hubby pulled off the steering wheel, hoping it had splines, but it has a keyway and tapered end. He tried the other positions and none of them will straighten the steering wheel. He then just centered it (with the outdrive straight) and did not replace the keyway. Him, being a machinist, says this will be okay, he tightened the wheel and said it will be fine, but the pessimist in me thinks that this may cause some damage not putting the key back in.

Any thoughts?
__________________

vickilea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2018, 04:36 PM   #2
Admiral
 
Phillbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lake Powell
Posts: 1,613
Default

I'm not sure what the impact will be but left over parts is never a good thing in my book.
__________________

Phillbo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2018, 04:54 PM   #3
Ensign
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Default

Glad to know - I feel the same way. But you know how stubborn men can be! :-)
vickilea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2018, 06:42 PM   #4
Admiral
 
mmwjr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Essex, Maryland
Posts: 10,175
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by vickilea View Post
Glad to know - I feel the same way. But you know how stubborn men can be! :-)
Being a man I would not have done what he has. If the wheel were to become loose it would just spin on the shaft and you would not have the ability to steer. Things get loose on boats from all the pounding they take.

Unbolting the rack assembly from the column would allow him to center the wheel then he can reconnect it.
__________________
1997 Silverton 362, 7.4 Crusaders
1997 2400 SCR, 5.7 Vortec / Bravo 2

Mike
mmwjr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2018, 02:59 PM   #5
Captain
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 522
Default

The resistance to rotational forces will be provided by the taper, which is essentially a interference fit and does not need a key. However, taper fits rely on precise machining and can be broken free with a strong shock load.

As long as the nut is torqued and maintains the interference fit on the taper, no slippage should occur.

Note all the provisions for the taper to work effectively!

Given that we are looking at a steering application and it's on a boat (not optimal environmental conditions), adding a key way to the design adds a safety factor (see Mikes comment).

All being said, hubby is correct in stating that the key is not required mechanically, but not using it in this application isn't the proper solution.

Aligning the wheel with the drive can be done at the rack as Mike suggested or at the drive end where cable attaches to the steering arm.

If there isn't enough adjustment, this could be a sign that there are parts that need inspecting or replacement.
jparsons121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2018, 06:00 PM   #6
Moderator

 
shrew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,588
Default

Removing the key from the keyway and tightening the nut is a horrible idea. Get into any rough water and you're going to have a very high probability of losing steerage underway. The key locks the wheel, the nut simply holds it all together. The two should not be confused.

If it really bothers you, replace the wheel with a symmetrical 'destroyer' style wheel, then it is always straight.
shrew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 02:34 AM   #7
Captain
 
donald's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Mn.
Posts: 663
Default

I second what shrew said.
Don
__________________

__________________
1995 Maxum 2400 SCR 5.7 A1 G2 LUNA DE MIEL SOLD
1988 Bayliner 2455 5.0 IO (sold)
1987 Seaswerl 18ft C. Cabin 4.3 IO(lost in fire)
2012 South Bay Pontoon
donald is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 05:41 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.