Whit Lock Steering

[pdnervo]

we have a 361 Beneteau 2000. we have a Whit-Lock steering system.
we would like to take off the wheel when in port.... i took off the shaft bolt and the nut... but it still does not come away.... what do i do next..
im not sure what system i have.. i took a picture of it.... any advise ...thanx

[perchance]

Undo the nut and don't lose the key. Screw the nut back on when the wheel is off and tape the key to the shaft.

[pdnervo]

i did undo the nut (as i stated in the question) and it did not come lose....

[perchance]

Originally Posted by pdnervo

i did undo the nut (as i stated in the question) and it did not come lose....

Please clarify. Is it the nut or the wheel that won't come loose?

[pdnervo]

the wheel.....

[perchance]

Originally Posted by pdnervo

the wheel.....

Did you try gripping the wheel on the edges and rocking it back and forth. The shaft is usually tapered and the wheel can be a tight fit so it may take some effort to remove.

[Waterwayguy]

If the steering shaft is tapered you will need a wheel puller. If not, it's just tight against the shaft and needs some coaxing. Chuck

[TheOffice]

Spray it with PB Blaster. Place a pice of wood over the end of the shaft. Whack it while someone pulls on the wheel..

[pdnervo]

thanx all the help....after taking off the screw shaft and the nut... i just put some wd-40 on it and pulled and twisted and it came off..

[Capt.Don]

Is taking the wheel off a good idea? Several thoughts - what if you lose the key? What if at anchorage and need to move the boat? Where to store the wheel, as it probably doesn't fit anywhere? Perhaps a folding wheel might be a better option.

[charliehows]

Originally Posted by Capt.Don

Is taking the wheel off a good idea? Several thoughts - what if you lose the key? What if at anchorage and need to move the boat? Where to store the wheel, as it probably doesn't fit anywhere? Perhaps a folding wheel might be a better option.

once im comfortable i take my wheel off cos its a pita banging into it every time i go thru the cockpit - and mines a small wooden job not one of those giant ss jobs - i welded a ss handle onto my nut so i dont need tools to get it on and off, you obviously cant do that on one of those whitlock things.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Capt.Don

Is taking the wheel off a good idea? Several thoughts - what if you lose the key? What if at anchorage and need to move the boat? Where to store the wheel, as it probably doesn't fit anywhere? Perhaps a folding wheel might be a better option.

Good grief, mate! Haven't you got something better to worry about? Worried about loosing the key? Keep a spare. Worried about having to move the boat at anchor? Only takes a few seconds to pop the wheel on the shaft and hand tighten the nut and off you can go. Worried about loosing the wheel? Lash it to the life lines or better, tell your wife where you stowed it and surely she will remind you (mine would!). Folding wheel? Have you priced one of those complicated and structurally weakened devices?

We don't often remove our wheel, but when I do I don't worry very much about having done so.

Cheers,

Jim

[Heikki]

We also have Whitlock steering and we take the wheel off for our artic winter mainly to be able to remove the teak floor panels of the cockpit. To make the wheel stay tight requires using a small amount of Locktite. If there is too much of it, the wheel is hard to remove. A cheap medium size wheel puller will do. Heating the area will help as well.

I did lose the key four years ago. I just replaced it with a small nut of a correct size. Has worked just fine for almost ten thousand miles and all kinds of weather. It does not have to be the original key. Anything sitting tight without play will do.

[windseeker2]

We have Whit-Lock Steering on our Rojo-Sailor Ketch. They sell a
Ship's Wheel nut that can be loosened with a Winch Handle. Taking it off a lot helps keep the wheel loose. Smear some marine lube on the steering shaft lightly.