Helm Removal

[imported_74baja]

Hey Guys,
I have a 1974 16 foot Baja. I am replacing the plywood in the dash. I need to remove the old rotary helm to do this, but I cannot figure out how to get it out. I removed bolts that were holding it tight into the hole in the dash, but the large gearbox and the bezel-like part in front are keeping it from coming out. I'M STUMPED! How do I get the helm out?
Thanks,
Jack

 

[Bondo]

Re: Helm Removal

You Did pull the Wheel,.... Right,..??.....

There's probably Screws holding the bezel Under the Wheel........

 

[imported_74baja]

Re: Helm Removal

hi,
I did take the wheel off. There is still the thing that the wheel was attached to though. It seems like I could get it off if I could get the shaft out. Is there some kind of set screw or something that would allow me to remove the shaft from the gearbox? Oh, also there are some screws under the thing that the wheel was attached to, but i cannot acess them without destroying a piece that is origional to the boat (Im not sure if I will be able to find the part to replace it)
If this is too vague, let me know and i will try to get some pictures up.
Thanks,
Jack

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Helm Removal

did this have the spoke wheel with the nuts and the center hub. if so remove the center hub cover, and there is a nut under there. sound like the conversion kit. then you may have to hammer on the shaft, or get a gear puller to get the hub off.

 

[burroak]

Re: Helm Removal

Since the dash is coming out, rotozip the dash into enough pieces to remove it from the helm. A sawzall, jigsaw or even a key hole saw will work. Once it is freed, it should be obvious as to how it was assembled in the first instance.

This is a technical exercise known as "reverse engineering".

 

[Bondo]

Re: Helm Removal

If this is too vague, let me know and i will try to get some pictures up.

Ayuh,......

That would be a Good Thing........

Whatever you've Got,............ It Does come apart.........