MacGregorSailors.com

Has anyone replaced the old rotory helm with an nfb 4.2, model# SS147???
I was thinking if it would fit inside the pedestal, I'd like to have the extra turn in the wheel. (3.something for the old command 290 and 4.2 for the nfb ss147) I've always thought the original steering was a little too quick for a sailboat.
(perfect for a sports car though)
BTW, I'm still using the factory original helm. Seems that's not the norm for '97 boat. I have completely disassembled it once, cleaned and lubricated it. That was about 2 years ago.

Comments?
SK

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. I have a 2000 X and replaced the steering once. The original was the rack and pinion and I replaced it with a Teleflex Command 200 or 290 - something like that. I don't like it. I plan to order a Teleflex SS141-10.

My original cam with a rack, not rotory. My understanding is that the older models with rotory steering had a shorter pedestal. The increased the size when they switched. The older pedestals are too short to fit it, for that matter it barely fits in the larger ones.

Here is a site that explains what this product is suppose to do
[url/www.bosunsmate.co.uk/nfb_hd.htm]
To me it sounds like a good idea for the mac, but I,m not sure if it has a three turn system know. After reading some of the advertisments it seem like it is marketed to pontoon boats and ribs.

God Speed
Dave[/url]

The 4.2 is to tall for the pedestal. It will hit the top. I used the SS132 from www.surplusunlimited.com. Check http://www.teleflexmarine.com/home.asp?ID=2 It will have the for specs on the 4.2.

guest wrote:How do you clean and lub the steering gear and cable without taking apart? Any quick and simple way?

You can loosen the 4 bolts that hole the pinion onto the rack (not all the way though), then you can move it around a bit so that you can see the rack sliding up and down. Turn the wheel all the way to the left which slides the rack all the way down, then fed grease into it (with a popsicle stick or similar) while turning the wheel to the right and moving the rack up. Center the pinion, tighten the bolts and you are done.

The NFB has built in resistance to counteract any steering torgue brought on by bigger motors..............You won't like it on the MAC and plus the steering spindle is too deep for the pedestal.......visit Teleflex and look at the dimensions for the NFB 4.2 and the SS14110. You see the NFB used more on Bass boats and such.

Check out this thread.

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=502

It discusses the UFlex rotary helm which is a better product than the Teleflex product and costs less. I have it on my boat and I am very happy. You want the T71FC unit.

I looked into my pedestal area the other day, and saw what appeared to be black shavings of metal? This was directly below the steering mechanism, but not sure from exactly where it came from on this assembly? Also the nut on the back had backed off.....is there a specific number of threads to tighten this? It was totaly loose from the bolt/spring device! It has been making squeeking noises when turned, I may lube as mentioned earlier. As I understand it, this sytem was already replaced by the factory, as the former owner stated, but unclear exactly what was replaced!

Heath,
This thread on Steering seems pretty valuable, with advice on both styles and several links to replacement gear, so it would be a shame to have it evaporate from old-age. If you made this a "sticky" thread, would it prevent its dropping off the forum? Could sticky-threads be shuffled to the bottom of the forum, or maybe shifted to a "Long-term" topic?

Sorry to be a PIA, since you end up with all the work. Thanks much, Frank.

Frank,

A few weeks ago, Heath said he changed it so that posts wouldn't drop off anymore. I think they were dropping off after about a month of inactivity, now the threads seem to be going back to March 7 so hopefully everything after that should be safe.