Disassembly Of Edson Helm To Add Hand Guard. (pics)

[GaryMayo]

I purchased a Edson hand guard (on this web site) and I wish to put it on my Edson helm.

It appears I need to do some disassembly and possibly I have the incorrect bracket.

Can someone with experience tell me what small screws to remove?

My helm is 1976 and the hand guard is 1981.

Thanks.

( I know someone is going to tell me to lash it on with Polly line. Lol)

[GaryMayo]

I imagine the off white attachment bracket goes between the white main post and the black compass mount?

In this pic I have it sitting on the compass to see if it looks like it might be the correct bracket if I removed the compass. Looks like it might be.

Anyone with experience disassembling one of one of these units, help would be appreciated. Hate to remove the wrong screws and make a big mess.

[roverhi]

Edson changed the size of the top of their pedestal sometime in the last 40 years. Got a late model engine control spacer to go on top of the pedestal. It didn't fit my older pedestal. If the guard bracket is the wrong size, you'll have to change it. Wouldn't be surprized if Edson still has parts for the old pedestals. Be sitting when you get the price though. You do know the pedestal goes under the compass, not on top???? LOL

Are you asking about removing the compass binnacle?? Mine was a more or less aninterference fit with screwed in SS tabs on the inside. Just had to lift it off. If that is not the case, look for screws around the base of the binnacle and remove them. If no screws, see if the upper part with the compass will come off somehow. That should give you access to whatever is holding the base of the binnacle to the pedestal.

[Sailmonkey]

There is nothing here you can really mess up. If I remember correctly the compass is attached with 4 screws, undo these, then inside of the compass spacer are 4 more. easy as can be.

All of the steering mechanism is below the black spacer for the compass, so you won't even get into the chain,brake, and sprocket.

[Stu Jackson]

You'll find a LOT of information at Edson Marine

[DeepFrz]

But it would be an ideal time to do some inspection and maintenance on the steering mechanism.

[GaryMayo]

There are screws on the top pointing down, I assume I leave these alone. They hold the compass to the mounting bracket.

Then there are screws lower on the side. Some surface mounted with a secondary screw below that. On several holes, the outside screw is missing and only the inside screw remains.

There is also screws deeper inside the black housing, I assume, but I cannot see what is in these holes. I fear these are adjustment settings for the compass.

[sammyo]

The small screws on the top will allow the compass to be lifted off. Use the right size screwdriver so you don't strip the groove. The fun part may come next, there are four long bolts holding the housing on. I had to very carefully drill off the head of all four. Once the housing came off three were totally frozen and needed to be drilled out. It that happens go to extraordinary lengths to drill exactly in the center of the bolt, makes all the difference. Good luck, it's worth the effort but go slow and very very carefully.

[GaryMayo]

Thanks!!!!!!

[sammyo]

Here's a one partially disassembled.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...1&d=1351444512

[GaryMayo]

That is the exact helm model I have pictured above post. Thanks for the pic!

I found four stainless steel 1" bolts with a large straight blade slot in them after the compass was off.

The compass had three levels of screws. Top level, screws going vertical were not the ones. Bottom level going horizontal were the magnate adjustment compensator for the compass. The four screws in the upper horizontal edge were the ticket to removing the compass.

I used a torch on the four bolts to warm them up. Under the bolts, nylon washers melted off.

I then sprayed them with wd40.

Next was impact screwdriver. It was about 200 impacts before I started to see I was getting anywhere and another 200 blows to remove each bolt. After several 360 turns with the impact driver, I was able to turn them with a craftsman screwdriver with a wrench on them.

When the final forth bolt came out, and a couple hours had clocked by, I was pretty happy.

The Edson handgard parts are the exact ones I needed!

Thanks to everyone that helped, and the swell guy that sold me the handguard!!!

[GaryMayo]

Lubed chain, changed all screws, / bolts I removed in adding pedestal guard with like quality stainless steel.

Happy with results.

Wheel turns many times easier now. Who knows how long it has been between oilings. Edson recommends 30 weight motor oil because they say it is handy. A can of chain lube was handier so I used that.

I mounted the instrument bracket upside down. Will place non slip pad inside and that is going to make I nice place to sit a couple drink koozies. Edge will keep drinks from falling off.