UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

[southtexas]

Anyone have any helpful hints on uninstalling the Smart Tabs SX actuator from it's mounting brackets? It is secured with the plastic "push through clip". I haven't tried yet, but don't want to break anything when I do it, as I am going to reattach a new actuator.

Just wondering if there's any magic to it, or if it's as straightforward as I hope it is. By the way, sent Nauticus an email detailing my original problem; next day they responded, asked me to call them to give them my address. I spoke to them and a new part was on the way. Total turnaround time was about 5 business days--great customer service AGAIN from the guys at Nauticus.

 

[spktho]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

I used a hammer and gently hammered the pins out. I suppose if the pins broke, you could just use bolts and nuts to re-attach.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

I just posted this for another person.

"Here is a trick. remove the plate end bolt and nut to detach the actuaotr from the plate. Remove the end fitting from that end. rotate the actuator counter clockwise until the actuator comes off the upper endfitting. This will leave the endfitting attached to the transom bracket. Flip the actuator right side up and screw it into the end fitting on the transom bracket. Attache the other endfitting to the bottom on the actuator and re-install the actuator onto the plate. This avoids the necessity of removing the snap and lock pin on the top of the actuator - they don't come out easily."

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

"they don't come out easily."

This is the truth... Looks like it'd come out fairly easy, but it's a bear...

 

[southtexas]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

JD--That sounds like a great idea to avoid messing with the snap-lock pin. Unfortunately, I used the bolt on the bottom and the snap-lock pin on the top bracket . Looks like it's time to hammer (break??) something! And by the way, as mentioned by another iboater, my boat's on a lift also, so it's into the muck for me....

On a serious note, should I switch the positions of the bolts/pins on both sides?

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

All you need to do is remove the bolt from the actuaotr attachment (at either end)then unscrew the actuator from the other end (END FITTINGS SCRE ON) and switch the ends. I have no suggestions for the muck except a water hose when you get out. Sorry!

 

[southtexas]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

Thanks, after a moment of thought, that's what I planned to do. But to be clear, you DO NOT deem it necessary to actually switch the pins/bolts' positions? Just out of curiosity, did you not include 2 sets of locking pins for this very reason?

It seems the pins are more secure, but at the same time would be a bigger PITA to remove.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

Pins or bolts your choice - it is just easier to adjust the actuator pressure with the bolts.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

I used the nylon bolts and nuts suppied, the locking pins are in my misc. boat kit I carry on board just in case a bolt works out and I loose it, so far the nylon nuts have stayed put and they're put on totaly by hand no tools involved.

 

[southtexas]

Re: UN-installing Smart Tabs SX

Thanks everyone for the input...I'm going to get this changed out in time for the weekend.