Steering chain failure

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   Hi everyone, just expirienced a steering failure on my 458. After quick examination its a chain connecting steering cables completely corroded with multiple links broken or about to break (pic attached). The chain says its Donghua ss50, so not surprizing  i guess. Will try to get new one soon but the message is its an easy check of  the chain condition and cables, which I totally ignored.Cheers!
PS. Luckily, the autopilot is working fine since its arm is detached from Jefa steering and so is emergency tiller of course

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marsella Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 21 June 2022 Location: Antigua Jolly H Status: Offline Points: 592	Post Options Post Reply Quote marsella Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Steering chain failure Posted: 25 June 2023 at 12:46
	Hi everyone, just expirienced a steering failure on my 458. After quick examination its a chain connecting steering cables completely corroded with multiple links broken or about to break (pic attached). The chain says its Donghua ss50, so not surprizing i guess. Will try to get new one soon but the message is its an easy check of the chain condition and cables, which I totally ignored. Cheers! PS. Luckily, the autopilot is working fine since its arm is detached from Jefa steering and so is emergency tiller of course

Tranquillity Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 01 December 2018 Location: Hamble, UK Status: Offline Points: 267	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tranquillity Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 June 2023 at 20:13
	Wow!! Should not of happened, thanks for posting. Will double check ours!!

S&J Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 30 August 2014 Location: Perth WA / Med Status: Offline Points: 1371	Post Options Post Reply Quote S&J Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 June 2023 at 23:53
	What year is your boat? What were conditions like when it failed?
	H458 #159 Primal Mediterranean cruising

Ian Coverdale Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 19 June 2019 Location: Travelling Status: Offline Points: 311	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Coverdale Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 June 2023 at 08:04
	Chain needs annual inspection and maintenance. Takes an a couple of hours. Our 445 chain is now ten years old and looks perfect. Jefa website has pdf on inspection/maintenance. Instruction says ... "The chain should at all times be properly greased on the complete length of the chain". We also greased the wire for corrosion protection ... don't think you can use too much grease on this system. https://bsidk.com/app/uploads/sites/12/2022/03/Jefa_wire_steering_system_maintenance_guide.pdf There are three sections of chain on 445; one over each steering wheel sprocket and a third under the deck ... don't miss the one under the deck. We considered buying spare last year and had a quote from Jefa ... You need to make an order for 4 x W5-200, Wire assembly 5mm x 2000mm, = € 38,- each 2 x CH5860, Chain assembly 5/8" x 600mm, = € 111,- each 1 x CH5800, 5/8" non-magnetic SS chain per meter (143mm) = € 17,- Maybe lesson is ... don't skip the maintenance! Cheers. Edited by Ian Coverdale - 26 June 2023 at 08:33
	Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

marsella Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 21 June 2022 Location: Antigua Jolly H Status: Offline Points: 592	Post Options Post Reply Quote marsella Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 June 2023 at 11:22
	Thanks for the instructions and its drawing is very helpful!! It looks however, that the access underneath of the steering pedestrals is very limited, does one need to lift the whole stand with the pedestrals to grease the mechanism? Overall, the lesson is well learned as I sure want to avoid the panic of loosing the boat control on a busy anchorage. Still not clear to me why 316 marine grade stainless steel shows so much corrosion on 3 year old boat, something I am waiting Jefa to explain. The chain on my 15 year old bicycle looks perfect without any maintenance whatsoever.

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Offline Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 June 2023 at 14:47
	Not all SS steel roller chains are equal. My 588 was supplied with a US Tsubaki roller chain in SS steel. They are a Japanese premium supplier with a stellar reputation. They cost three times what Chinese suppliers cost. The quality of material used is key to superior strength and corrosion resistance. I know because I researched all this when rebuilding my system. My chain is six years old and is immaculate as far as corrosion goes. I’m not sure what Jefa is supplying these days but Donghua is not a top supplier in the industry. If you are replacing your chain, make sure you get the best. These roller chains are subject to tremendous forces in a harsh environment. Only the best will do.
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

Ian Coverdale Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 19 June 2019 Location: Travelling Status: Offline Points: 311	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Coverdale Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 June 2023 at 15:04
	Marsella, First time we inspected our chains, they had very little, almost no grease. Suspect original installer had not followed Jefa recommendations. Chain Jefa is 304 stainless which is why protective grease is important. Put it on thick and work into all areas of the link. Only way to effectively grease the chain is to remove it from pedestals through steering wheel boss hole which is fiddly and why the job takes ~2-hours. I can also guarantee the wheels will not go back in same orientation so any 'dead ahead' markers applied to wheel rims will be in wrong place! Cheers. Edited by Ian Coverdale - 26 June 2023 at 15:08
	Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

marsella Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 21 June 2022 Location: Antigua Jolly H Status: Offline Points: 592	Post Options Post Reply Quote marsella Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 June 2023 at 00:01
	Thanks for the tips, folks! Yes Japanese made chain sounds like a good solution to fix this, not going back to Donghua. Cheers!

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Offline Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 June 2023 at 01:46
	US Supplier https://www.grainger.com/product/TSUBAKI-Roller-Chain-Single-Strand-6L077
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Offline Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 June 2023 at 02:22
	Also this. Not Tsubaki, but goos Japanese option. 316 SS https://www.usarollerchain.com/50-316-Stainless-Steel-Roller-Chain-p/premium-50ss-316ss-10ft.htm
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY



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