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Is this the correct part? My part is installed upside down from your photo.
Radial Drive Wheels can be installed with either side up, with the stop above or below to match the boat’s requirement. Verify the dimensions match your requirements. If so, then this is the correct part, even if shown in an alternate position.
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After years in service, my Radial Drive Wheel is corroded in place. What can I do?
Use repeated applications of Freeze Off Penetrating Lubricant shown below under “May We Also Suggest”. It penetrates into the interface between the aluminum wheel and the stainless fasteners. More importantly, in addition to this routine action, it also chills the fasteners every time it is applied. The chilling and warming causes contraction and expansion differently between the dissimilar metals and may just loosen the corrosion where other lubricants may not.
If you have time, apply once or twice per week for several weeks before you even attempt to loosen the fasteners to prevent shearing them off.
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I’ve tried Freeze Off and it just won’t budge. Now what do I do?
Your only choice now is to cut the stainless fasteners with a grinding wheel as in the additional image at left and replace the Radial Drive Wheel.
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How many fasteners are there?
Seven total including one large through bolt that passes entirely through both the Radial Drive Wheel and the Rudder Post.
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How do I prevent the same corrosion between the fasteners and the Radial Drive Wheel when I re-install it this time?
Apply MareLube TEF 45 offered below under “May We Also Suggest”. Use the included brush to apply to both the inside of the holes in the aluminum and on the outside of the fasteners where they pass through the aluminum. The MareLube electrically isolates the stainless from the aluminum thereby reducing corrosion.
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The hole for the through bolt is only drilled through one side of the Radial Drive Wheel hub. Is that a defect?
No, it is done on purpose. When installed at the factory, the rudder was inserted into the boat and shimmed in place. The rudder shaft was then drilled by hand to achieve a proper fit. As a result, the through hole was not perfectly perpendicular to the rudder shaft and therefore cannot be pre-drilled in the hub of the Radial Drive Wheel.
Align the new Radial Drive wheel using the through bolt installed in the pre-drilled hole. Tighten the four clamping bolts to hold the wheel onto the rudder shaft. Remove the through bolt and use the existing hole in the rudder shaft as a guide to drill the second hole in the hub of the Radial Drive Wheel.
