Edson 408 Shelf Steerer — Maintenance Guide

Shaft Assembly Parts

• Lock nut: 5/8"-18 (no part number printed).
• Shelf steerers with a straight shaft use a 1/4" key instead of the Woodruff key, with a washer and heavy duty circlip aft of the wheel hub that stop the wheel sliding forward; the lock nut is replaced by F1-FJN, a 1"-14 hex nut.

Wheel Shaft Removal

1. Remove the forward snap ring that is flush with the end of the steerer shaft. Some steerers have an extended shaft carrying an autopilot sprocket.
2. Loosen the set screws on the sprocket.
3. At the brake collar the drive pin is indented on one side and flush on the other: hit the indented side with a hammer and punch. On the bench, raise the steerer so the pin does not bottom out on the bench; on the boat, take care not to drop the pin out of the bottom.
4. Find “Edson” stamped on the sprocket: it marks the keyway and must line up with the indent on the nylon washer between the aft side of the sprocket and the steerer housing (the opening that lets the key stock pass).
5. Pull out the wheel shaft, keeping “Edson” in line with the nylon washer.
6. With the shaft out, remove the remaining snap ring or 3/16" Woodruff key before sliding off the second needle bearing.
7. If you are not replacing the brake collar, reassemble in the reverse order of steps 1-6.

Brake Replacement

1. Remove the 4 mounting screws holding the brake plate, noting which side it is attached to. Do not drop the sprocket or brake plate: the brake plate only comes out from the bottom of the housing.
2. Fit the new brake collar with the brake pad facing the brake plate and over the knurled side of the sprocket.
3. Mount it back to the housing on the side with the rounded top for the needle bearing housing.

To reassemble, reverse the procedure. Lubricate the bearings with Teflon grease through the hole in the casting above the bearings while rotating the shaft, then re-tension the steering cables.