Cable steering wheel pedestal base plate cracked

[Basejones]

G'day crew!
Hoping to get some advice on how to repair cracks forming on the base plate of our cable steering wheel pedestal. The base plate looks to be painted galvanized steel. The cracks are forming around the bolts that secure the plate to the cockpit sole. The pedestal and base plate are one piece and its one of those wine glass type shapes. The column is still solid and does not move but the cracks allow some water in to the compartment below.
See the picture attached!


Cheers !

[skipmac]

Hi Basejones.

First, seriously doubt that the piece is any kind of ferrous metal. If it was there would be rust stains everywhere. Most likely cast aluminum.

Hard to tell from the photos but it looks like the cracks are around the bolts that hold the base to the floor. Probably SS bolts that have over time reacted with the AL where the Al is the loser.

Best thing to do with this is replace it. When you do, make sure to isolate the SS bolts from the Al base with appropriate goop like Tefgel, Lancote or something.

Not a metal expert but it might be possible to weld new metal to the damaged areas but Al welding is very tricky and the metal be seriously weakened by the process.

[Mischief_Inc]

I don't think it's steel either. And with that kind of damage to a casting, it's at, or near the end of it's life. You might see about affixing it to another piece of plate, & then running your fasteners through the new plate. And for the plate you could use the same metal as the pedestal, or even G10. Bolted & bonded together with epoxy. Possibly with multiple small bolts coming up from the underside of the new plate, going into tapped holes in the casting. Though be sure to electrically isolate everything.

[Orion Jim]

Can't recognize the make but it's not Edson or Yacht Specialties. If you can identify the maker they may still be in business if you're real lucky. If so, buy a replacement and reuse any components still in good order. If unlucky you will have to pull it and effect repairs. Welding is possible but the shop or individual will make an assessment and advise on a course of action.
I am in the middle of replacing my Yacht Specialties (no longer in business) pedestal right now. It was beyond repair. It had been repaired with a two piece collar by the PO. I searched for a used replacement and I'm having it spray painted before I install it. The whole thing is an arduous task but a necessary evil.

[coastalexplorer]

where are you located? your best solution is to have a new pattern and core box made and cast a new one, If you do not have the skills to make a working engineering drawing? The Pattern-shop staff can work from sample IF you remove it and supply it to them. Do you have a commercially produced vessel? where by there were enough production numbers to sell to other owners, or is your vessel a custom one design?

[budm303]

Epoxy. Under reinforced with Kevlar/Carbon strip.

[Blue Stocking]

Cut the base off at the shoulder and have a machine shop turn you a new one out of Aluminum, with an OD sleeve sized to fit up into the tube above. Did this to an old Cheoy Lee boat.

[Terra Nova]

It is of welded construction, so likely it is aluminum.

Just cut the bad sections away and weld in new pieces.

[JPA Cate]

Basejones,

What happened there looks as if the galvanic corrosion products have expanded and broken off those bit. This means that whoever installed the bolts didn't electrically isolate them from the aluminum. Hence the recommendation above for the use of tefgel, duralac, or lanolin. Water will continue to get in, until the situation is repaired. I think you're going to need a new base, but the welder can give you an idea if it can be successfully welded. You can have a machine shop make you a new one, but you need to provide them with a scale drawing from which to work. Or take the broken one with you, so they can get all the measurements. Carefully seal the base when you reinstall.

Ann

[Zach]

Measure the bolt holes, and see if they line up with an Edson pedestal layout.

If you have a straight shaft for the steering wheel instead of a taper, you can buy a used pedestal and drop it right into place.

There is one on ebay right now for $350, though if you have a boat buck handy... buying one that is complete with pedestal guard, compass, and engine controls would be a sweet upgrade. Working wheel brakes, and getting into products that still have factory support is a nice thing indeed.

Replace your steering cable, if you are cable steered while you are there.


Zach

[AKA-None]

If it's cast aluminum then it will likely be impossible to weld

[zeehag]

looks like aluminum. you will need to remove it and take to a fabrication shop or search online for another pedestal.
good luck.
keep us posted as to your progress.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

If it's cast aluminum then it will likely be impossible to weld

Just not true.

[redsky49]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Just not true.

Perhaps it should be stated that the cast alloy would be challenging to weld, though likely not impossible, assuming you can locate someone willing to try.

Epoxy would be adequate for small repairs. This looks too far gone for that approach.

I think that the most cost effective approach, assuming you cannot locate an existing replacement piece, would be to turn a similar part on a lathe. Any machine shop should be up for the job, and cost should not be excessive. It needn't duplicate exactly the existing part, just serve the intended purpose.

And provide protection against dissimilar materials.

Could that be a Merriman steering system?

[Cheechako]

It looks heavily corroded. Weld repairing that base will be tough due to the depleted aluminum alloy. Find a new base portion and have it welded to the tube. Or just a new pedestal, it seems used ones are around often.... and cheap. Worst case you could have one turned on a lathe to fit.