Clevis Pin seized

[IanFS]

Having had a leaking bell housing shift seal which rotted the bottom of the extrusion on which the drive bellows sit, I found a specialist welder who managed to do the job without removing the transom shield/gimbal housing.

Whats this to do with a Clevis pin?

Well I thought having spent so much time overhauling bits and pieces, exhaust, exhaust shutters, sterndrive seals, water pump impeller etc etc, I would take out the slop in the steering where the clevis pin has worn the tiller arm.

So I soaked it, put a G clamp on it with a plate across the top of the pin supported by 2 nuts to give it clearance and sqeezed. It moved the pin approx 1/8" then broke the G clamp.

I searched Iboats and googled the problem and it appears its welded in. You guys recommended heating it, which I tried with my MapGas Rothenburg torch but was a tad worring that the heat would transfer to the Gimbal Ring Seal at the end of the tiller arm .

I think I read that someone said it may be drilled out, is this an option?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Clevis Pin seized

I think I read that someone said it may be drilled out, is this an option?

Ayuh,.... Usually abit of Heat, 'n a pair of Vise-grips is enough,....
But,...
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get it out...

 

[IanFS]

Re: Clevis Pin seized

Well with a great deal of patience and some shere determination, using 3 different size drill bits, I got her out. Actual job only took 45mins, but there were a few mugs of tea within the "work in progress".

Not sure I would recommend drilling as you have to be fairly accurate. I actually drilled outside the lower hole so it's now a little mishapen, kinda the shape of a large hole with the rim of another small hole within it's circumference.

Bond-o, what do you think about drilling the holes slightly larger and fitting a stainless bolt with a nyloc nut?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Clevis Pin seized

Bond-o, what do you think about drilling the holes slightly larger and fitting a stainless bolt with a nyloc nut?

Ayuh,... Whatever it takes,...

I'd weld the hole in, 'n redrill it myself, or replace the arm...
Maybe even JB-weld, but I donno how it'll stand up...

 

[IanFS]

Re: Clevis Pin seized

I popped a 10mm bolt in the tiller arm hole, very little movement probably 1/2mm-1mm - 1/32 - 1/16th in ....wish we had never joined the EU and were back in real measuring sizes....imperial rocks.

The bolt would not go in the steal end of the power unit without forcing it, probably something like 1/32nd drilled out and it would be fine.

I cannot understand why the manufacturers want to fit such a cheap item to such an important bit. Oh.......yes I can....profit!!!!

And you guys were right about fresh water and sea water, this is our biggest problem in the UK, no lakes to ride on, all sea water.