replacement of chains in steering system

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   We are about to sail from Bora Bora to Samoa (1400nm) and then to Fiji (600nm) and with all this discussion on steering chain problems I thought it a good idea to re-grease our chains. It appears I greased them sometime ago although I can't remember but maybe about 6 years ago. I had the upper steering sprocket opened up previously because I had put Tefgel on the SS screws which now made these allen key head screws come out easily. I firstly slackened the adjusting barrel bolt on the portside near the steering gear. Whilst I was there I greased the chain for the port steering and the autopilot drive sprocket and chain. By loosening the chain/cable I was then able to remove the steering wheel (24mm socket) and then remove the 6 x 4mm allen key machine screws from the hub. This allowed the hub to be pulled down so I could access part of the chain and greased same. Then we moved the other steering wheel to get "fresh" chain on the port side to grease. Once this was done I reapplied Tefgel to the machine screws and secured the hub. I also applied some Tefgel to the shaft to stop the aluminum hub growing on the SS drive shaft. Refitted the wheel and returned to the steering flat to tighten the steering cables. We use our stbd aft cabin as a storage area so instead of using the normal access into the stbd side of the steering flat I removed the access to the transom door pump access in the garage and attacked the chain from within the steering flat. It took some doing and a certain amount of contortion but I managed to slacked the cable and chain which allowed the greasing of the stbd upper steering cog and chain as per the port side. Replaced the stbd steering wheel and then re-tensioned the stbd steering cable/chain. Because of the cramped space I had to use a long handled 25mm wide paint brush to apply the grease to the lower chains (steering and autopilot) and the sprockets. The complete job only took about two hours. A second person is needed to turn the steering wheel whilst the greasing takes place. The steering felt smoother after. Job done for another few years. Note - I applied a medium Locktite to the steering tensioning barrel bolt and locking nut because we had these come loose in the first month of using the boat.  

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Wayne's World Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 18 July 2012 Location: Cruising Status: Offline Points: 1434	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wayne's World Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 June 2025 at 20:34
	We are about to sail from Bora Bora to Samoa (1400nm) and then to Fiji (600nm) and with all this discussion on steering chain problems I thought it a good idea to re-grease our chains. It appears I greased them sometime ago although I can't remember but maybe about 6 years ago. I had the upper steering sprocket opened up previously because I had put Tefgel on the SS screws which now made these allen key head screws come out easily. I firstly slackened the adjusting barrel bolt on the portside near the steering gear. Whilst I was there I greased the chain for the port steering and the autopilot drive sprocket and chain. By loosening the chain/cable I was then able to remove the steering wheel (24mm socket) and then remove the 6 x 4mm allen key machine screws from the hub. This allowed the hub to be pulled down so I could access part of the chain and greased same. Then we moved the other steering wheel to get "fresh" chain on the port side to grease. Once this was done I reapplied Tefgel to the machine screws and secured the hub. I also applied some Tefgel to the shaft to stop the aluminum hub growing on the SS drive shaft. Refitted the wheel and returned to the steering flat to tighten the steering cables. We use our stbd aft cabin as a storage area so instead of using the normal access into the stbd side of the steering flat I removed the access to the transom door pump access in the garage and attacked the chain from within the steering flat. It took some doing and a certain amount of contortion but I managed to slacked the cable and chain which allowed the greasing of the stbd upper steering cog and chain as per the port side. Replaced the stbd steering wheel and then re-tensioned the stbd steering cable/chain. Because of the cramped space I had to use a long handled 25mm wide paint brush to apply the grease to the lower chains (steering and autopilot) and the sprockets. The complete job only took about two hours. A second person is needed to turn the steering wheel whilst the greasing takes place. The steering felt smoother after. Job done for another few years. Note - I applied a medium Locktite to the steering tensioning barrel bolt and locking nut because we had these come loose in the first month of using the boat.
	Wayne W Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026.

Pzucchel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 13 March 2020 Location: floating Status: Offline Points: 659	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pzucchel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 June 2025 at 06:31
	I am learning something here...do I understand correctly you have removed the steering wheel axes and hubs ? how did you do it ? I was unsure how to release it, and admittedly my screws were very tight , I suspected an aluminum thread and I was scared of damaging the parts ... One thing I don't understand: on the starboard side , I was able to completely remove the polymer renvoy and this allowed to extract the full chain and wire assembly completely from the top (I could unscrew the bolt fixing the ball bearing from the deck storage container below the seat in front of the steering wheel on the starboard side). for the port side I couldn't remove it because my hands /keys couldn't access the rear bolt of the same renvoy, but once the barrel/bolt was released I could definitely lift all the upper chain out of the system , and grease it easily. why did you have to remove the steering wheel hub? I am trying to understand the details of the installation , as you know it's not clear from the jefa drawings. Thanks for the comment on the barrel bolt getting loose , I will check both in the next hour ... Edited by Pzucchel - 30 June 2025 at 06:32
	Hanse588#55

Wayne's World Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 18 July 2012 Location: Cruising Status: Offline Points: 1434	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wayne's World Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 June 2025 at 08:21
	Piero, With the steering cable/chain loosened and once the wheel is removed and the 6 screws are removed the hub assembly can be pulled partly out and angled down slightly you can see the cogs and steering chain and you can grease about 25% of the cog and chain. By rotating the other steering wheel the chain and cog on the unit you have loose will also rotate allowing you to grease the next 25%. Then just repeat until process until you grease all the chain and cogs. The hub will not come completely out of the assembly because the chain is only loose not disconnected. Once you remove the wheel and the hub mounting screws and loosened the steering cable/chain it will become obvious.
	Wayne W Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026.

Pzucchel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 13 March 2020 Location: floating Status: Offline Points: 659	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pzucchel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 June 2025 at 08:32
	I understand now. you didn't need to open the consoles by removing the hub , right? removing the consoles you can lift up the chain completely, and even replace the chain. I personally prefer it , because I had multiple cracks that I couldn't see when the chain was still on the hub , and it was probably one of those cracks that eventually failed. anyway , my situation was probably extreme and some greasing would have avoided the situation at all ...
	Hanse588#55

Wayne's World Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 18 July 2012 Location: Cruising Status: Offline Points: 1434	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wayne's World Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 June 2025 at 18:09
	Piero, Correct, you do not need to open the consoles.
	Wayne W Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026.



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