Dash/steering removal help please!

[jgoeden]

Hey guys I have a 1986 Sea Sprite 195 and I am making a new dash and need to get the old dash off and steering column piece off. I will include pictures of what I am talking about.

Pic #1 shows the dash. I need to remove both parts at the red and purple arrows to remove the plastic dash. But I can't get them off. The purple arrow is solid metal and is where the wheel attaches to. The red is a plastic "housing" that has the metal underneath it for mounting to the dash.

Pic #2 shows 3 bolts that I think if I removed them I could take the assembly off but when I turn the nuts, the bolts turn with them so that's not really an option.

Pic #3 shows the bottom of the plastic piece identified by the orange arrow in pic #1. I'm not sure what it is but I figure it's there for a reason, I just don't know why and if I need to be using it somehow.

Pic #4 shows in between the metal and plastic pieces identified by the green arrow in #1. It appears to have screws in the hole but I can't get to it without removing the front metal piece. I've done everything I can to remove the front metal piece but it won't budge. Not sure if it even comes off.

Any ideas on how to get these beasts off?

Here's the links to the larger images for better viewing if needed:
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/3367/dash1s.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4154/dash2x.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3909/dash4m.jpg
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9555/dash3z.jpg

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

I'm pretty sure your steering hub is pressed on a tapered shaft and will require a Gear puller to remove. Picture one seems to show a slot for the retaining pin that keep the hub from spinning on the shaft. Once the hub is off you should be able to remove the column cover etc...

I'm just sayin...

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

I was wondering about that option. Ok, so I get/rent a gear puller and get it off, am I able to get it on again? Probably some lube would help, but how difficult would it be getting it back on, once I "easily" pull it off?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

Well, it probably won't be EASY but it will come off. I actually had to PERSUADE mine with a little HEAT from a propane torch too!!!! As far as going back on, tightening the wheel on with the nut is all that is required.


Good Luck with it.

I'm just sayin...

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

Ahh, yeah good point about tightening the nut. Hopefully no persuasion necessary but then again it probably hasn't been touched in 24 years.

Thanks for the help. Sometimes answers are so obvious they elude your mind!

now back to designing and constructing a new fiberglass dashboard from scratch. AAHHHH!! lol

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

If I were you, I'd put the steering wheel back on so you have something to yank on, thread the nut about half way back on that shaft and while pulling on the wheel, give the nut a good whack with a hammer. That frees up most of them.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

JG,

In your pic three, that is where a tenson adjustment knob goes. It is not required but it helps limit movement of the wheel due to torque steer from the engine and wave action while driving the boat.

 

[imported_rick]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

Hey jgoeden!

Do you have any drawings or pictures of the new design for your custom dashboard?

I just completed my custom dash (see link in sig). My original wasn't anywheres near as functional as yours is, mine had no place to put any gauges.

Looking forward to pics of the process. Have fun, I did!

Rick

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

Oh my goodness thanks for reminding me about pictures! I completely forgot! I have no drawings, just going from my head. Working on building the wood frame now, then I'm going to stretch this nice "Ponte" fabric over it. It's super stretchy and supposedly soaks up less resin than fleece and doesn't sag that much.

I've never glassed before though so all this is new to me

Edit: WOW WOW WOW, I just read your dash thread. I hope mine turns out half as good as yours! I'm gonna start a project thread this week sometime and ask for some advice on everything.

Very very nice work though!

 

[imported_rick]

Re: Dash/steering removal help please!

Thanks for looking!

Yeah, gotta watch the sag factor. I used Spandex and thought I had it stretched tight enough but it started to sag a bit anyway. I learned to used several very light coats of resin and it worked out great. As I mentioned a few times in my thread, be sure to apply a layer of CSM to the underside of the fabric where the fabric has no wood backing. Makes a huge difference. Apply the CSM after allowing a couple of top coats of resin to harden up.