Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: 1988 17 montauk steering wheel replacement
Posted by MichaelVT on 03/20/12 - 8:05 AM
#1
I have a 1988 17 montauk and would like to replace the existing 6 spoke steering wheel with another 6 spoke one. Over the years it has become wiggly. I think the post is tapered but I don't know if the wheel dish is offset 10 degrees or 22. Does anyone know or know how to tell? Schmitt has them available but I don't know which one to order. Any other good places to order it from? Thanks in advance to any of my questions.
Posted by tedious on 03/20/12 - 12:06 PM
#2
Mike, is the wheel itself wiggly, or the fit on the hub? I'm asking because if it's not the wheel itself, replacing it probably won't help - you could instead use a shim or something to tighten it up.
If you do need a wheel, I got my 22 degree one from Defender:
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?...;id=296196
They have both 5 and 6-spoke available.
Tim
Posted by MichaelVT on 03/25/12 - 4:33 PM
#3
Thanks Tim.
Where the spokes go into the hub is where it's loose. The hub is tight...
I will look for a 5 or 6 spoke replacement. Thanks for the defender link.
Do people add a non-stock wheel? If so, is there a common one?
Thanks.
Michael
Posted by Joe Kriz on 03/25/12 - 4:35 PM
#4
I believe there are allen screws that hold those spokes into the hub.
Have you tried tightening those screws?
Posted by MichaelVT on 03/25/12 - 5:16 PM
#5
Hi Joe, there might be some wheels with allen key screws to tighten but I don't think mine does. I'll double check.
Thanks for mentioning it.
Michael
Posted by MichaelVT on 03/30/12 - 1:55 PM
#6
tedious wrote:
Mike, is the wheel itself wiggly, or the fit on the hub? I'm asking because if it's not the wheel itself, replacing it probably won't help - you could instead use a shim or something to tighten it up.
If you do need a wheel, I got my 22 degree one from Defender:
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?...;id=296196
They have both 5 and 6-spoke available.
Tim
Thanks Tim.
I pulled the wheel off and the spokes of the steering wheel were loose. After removing the wheel I see that the shaft that goes into the steering mechanism is a little wiggly too. Is there a way to tighten the shaft that's part of the steering mechanism that's below the console?
Thanks.
Michael
Posted by Bake on 03/30/12 - 4:46 PM
#7
I think that will require a helm change out.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 03/30/12 - 5:58 PM
#8
It appears the steering wheel is just fine now that you have tightened the spokes...
It sounds like your helm itself is having a problem...
If it is the original helm, might be time for a new one along with the steering cable.... Both in a package is cheaper then buying them separately...
Posted by MichaelVT on 03/31/12 - 5:48 PM
#9
Joe Kriz wrote:
It appears the steering wheel is just fine now that you have tightened the spokes...
It sounds like your helm itself is having a problem...
If it is the original helm, might be time for a new one along with the steering cable.... Both in a package is cheaper then buying them separately...
The spokes were loose on the original wheel so I ordered another 6 spoke Schmitt steering wheel.
After installing the new wheel and tightening everything up there is less play than there was with the wheel off.
I'm happy with the results of just replacing the steering wheel.
Thanks for everyone's response.