505/508 - Jefa wire replacement

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Jefa wire replacement

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 505/508
Forum Description: 505/508 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15316
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Jefa wire replacement

Posted By: kipwrite
Subject: Jefa wire replacement
Date Posted: 18 August 2025 at 23:09

My 505 dates from 2016 and has covered ~26,000nm since new. The Jefa steering cable is original, and as far as I can tell, looks to be in good shape - no rust, intact, chain and sheaves look good. Have greased it a few times over the years, and kept it adjusted properly.

I have just ordered a complete new chain/cable set from Denmark and I'd like to renew this - ten years is a good life for a Jefa cable I think.

I've seen conflicting reports on the best way to do this: Jefa has instructions on how to remove the pedestals (complex), and the Jefa parts person who took my order sent these very brief instructions:

first remove the wires from quadrant,
then you must loosen the bulkhead steer,
and then pull the chain and wires, together with the bulkhead, out via the hole from where the bulkhead was installed,
the new chain and wires must then be returned the same way they came out.

Has anyone tackled this, and willing to provide a more detailed approach?

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Kipwrite

Replies:

Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 20 August 2025 at 02:36

I did this on a 415, so maybe slightly different set up, but I think the issue with the very brief description from Jefa is the word ‘bulkhead’. I think they mean the upper bearing / boss in the pedestal. With judicious use of draw strings, it is perfectly possible to pull through a new chain and cable without removing the pedestals

Good luck

Paul

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Paul - Night Train - 415 #136

Posted By: david505
Date Posted: 20 August 2025 at 06:01

You will almost certainly need to remove the pedestals, unfortunately. Many things about the 505 are very well designed but access to the steering system is not one of those things.

You will not be able to see or access the steering sheaves without removing the pedestals and even then it will be tight tricky work. We replaced our steering cables with dyneema and it was quite the job. In the process we cut access panels from the lazarette to both sheaves with water tight hatches - not an easy retrofit, but easier to service the steering system if needed underway than removing the pedestals.

Once you have the pedestals off you should see that the rest is fairly self explanatory.

Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 20 August 2025 at 11:16

I dont believe the pedestrals need to be unbolted. The procedure to replace the chains and cables should be very similar to how you grease the chains: remove the steering wheels, access the steering quadrant, detach the cables, pull out the chains and so on. It is well explained in jefa manual and lot of recent discussion on this forum, see topics in 57Xs, 45Xs...