Steering Quadrant

[Risto and Liz]

I am planning the install for our quadrant mounted autopilot. (Thanks to Garner for the great how-to article)
I noticed that the quadrant is a bit high on the rudder shaft so the cable is rubbing the lower edge of the groove.
Any tips on getting the quadrant bolts loose and the quadrant itself loose from the shaft to be able to lower it?
Everything is soaking in PB Blaster. So far I have one bolt loose. I may have to drag my compressor and impact wrench to the boat.
Ideas?
Also it looks like I will have to put the tiller arm for the autopilot up on the square part of the shaft. It seems there will be ample shaft left for emergency tiller if needed.

[PeteW]

I've posted numerous threads on the steering quadrant and the steering quadrant beam. Here's a link to my below deck autopilot installation.

http://www.pearson365.com/forum/index.php?topic=1366.0

I looked at installing the tiller arm on top and quickly abandoned that approach for what I think is mechanically preferred. Mounting the tiller arm close to the quadrant beam bearing and attaching the drive pivot to the beam itself eliminates backlash in the rudder shaft.

The shaft is 1.5 round. The arm will be machined to match that dia. and will have a keyway. A square tiller arm may be hard to find. My round one new cost $170. The Edson part is overpriced.

You may have to break the bolts to get the quadrant off. The through bolts may break loose, but those SS pinch bolts threaded and corroded into aluminum are permanent and represent a whole different problem. Why I didn't want to touch them on my installation. PB Blaster overnight,  and hope for the best.

Good Luck   Pete

[Risto and Liz]

Pete,
I replied on your post about the autopilot install just to let you know. Thanks.