Raytheon linear drive 2

[daletournier]

Hi all, my 2001 Raytheon type 2 autopilot drive is making a grinding sound. Haven't pulled it down yet but obviously a bearing , gear or similar is self destructing.

A very brief chat (email) with the local Seychelles raymarine representative reccommends replacing it. I'm fairly certain these are repairable and parts are available?

Anyone repaired one of these? Is there a repair/service kit available etc

Any advice welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[TacomaSailor]

I've posted many replies about this issues including pictures. I've repaired and replaced my Linear Drive twice in the last 23-years.

Search for TacomaSailor & Autohelm

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by TacomaSailor

I've posted many replies about this issues including pictures. I've repaired and replaced my Linear Drive twice in the last 23-years.

Search for TacomaSailor & Autohelm

Thanks ,will do. I find the search function on the app very frustrating. I'll fire up the computer.

[botanybay]

I carry a spare gear set, belt and motor. Easy to tear down and rebuild.

Note that the new to me vessel came with two type 2 - 24v drives. For some reason the magnets attached to the inside of the motor casing came loose. Resulting in a grinding noise in the motor itself.

Pulled the motor apart and found the adhesive had failed, reinstalled using GFLEX epoxy carefully clamped and then reassembled motor and then linear drive. That was 8 years ago...

[skipmac]

I rebuilt the Raymarine linear drive that came with my boat. Motor had gotten wet so needed a good bit of work. Wasn't that complicated to disassemble and repair.

Grinding could be loose magnets as noted by botanybay. Also bearings (one of my problems) or gears. Have to get inside the unit to determine which one.

[daletournier]

Ive pulled it down, cant see any problem. Haven't looked at motor yet.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Ive pulled it down, cant see any problem. Haven't looked at motor yet.

Could be loose magnet inside the case. That was one of the things I had to fix on mine. Also had to fix one of those on a bilge pump motor.

[Dougtiff]

Easy to do, tear down the unit, believe it or not, there is a PLASTIC gear, it wears out, can be replaced.

[Capt Gill]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Ive pulled it down, cant see any problem. Haven't looked at motor yet.

I agree w/the above posts, the magnets seem to be a common issue, but be careful they are quite strong and brittle (break easily), note their orientation before removing. The bearings are common and will have a # you can use to get a replacement. One of the two bearings is a interference fit (v.tight), only grip the shaft & bearing to remove it, definitely not the armature or you'll ruin it (good luck finding one those ;<{). Forget about getting any of these parts from RM, try auto parts or bearing supply.

[DeepFrz]

The stainless axles can enlarge the holes in the bronze planetary gears causing the gears to skip on the linear drive gear. Can make an awful grinding noise.

[daletournier]

Ok, that's interesting. Those bronxe gears seem to be quite wobbly, I did wonder about it but assumed it was by design for some reason?

[daletournier]

I didnt see any bronze fillings etc.

[DeepFrz]

The folks on SV Delos had the gears bored out and larger axles made. Saved them a lot of money but check to make sure the linear part of the drive hasn't been damaged to much. One other thing they did was flip the planetary gears over so they meshed with a different part of the linear drive. May not be the longest lasting repair but what do I know.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

The folks on SV Delos had the gears bored out and larger axles made. Saved them a lot of money but check to make sure the linear part of the drive hasn't been damaged to much. One other thing they did was flip the planetary gears over so they meshed with a different part of the linear drive. May not be the longest lasting repair but what do I know.

I used to build automatic transmissions for a living many years ago, lots of planatary gears. When I first looked at the little planetary gear set on my autopilot my first thought was " they are very loose fit" but because I saw nothing to indicate thats not how they are meant to be I moved on. The gear set dosent look worn. Several times I thought to myself how lose a fit they were. No way of knowing if that's the problem without replacing them. I saw them advertised in the UK for 160pound.

I don't believe its the electric motor, I can turn it by hand and it feels very smooth, if a magnet come of wouldnt it stop working?

[botanybay]

Originally Posted by daletournier

I used to build automatic transmissions for a living many years ago, lots of planatary gears. When I first looked at the little planetary gear set on my autopilot my first thought was " they are very loose fit" but because I saw nothing to indicate thats not how they are meant to be I moved on. The gear set dosent look worn. Several times I thought to myself how lose a fit they were. No way of knowing if that's the problem without replacing them. I saw them advertised in the UK for 160pound.

I don't believe its the electric motor, I can turn it by hand and it feels very smooth, if a magnet come of wouldnt it stop working?

If smooth I thing the magnets are good, I would work but pourly with them loose.