Maintenance for SmartPilot Wheel-drive

[Tom Madden]

as part of my autopilot system, i have a Raymarine SmartPilot enclosed wheel-drive on my 2007 34 mkII (hull # 1768.)  i am wondering if anyone has input on maintenance of the wheel-drive unit.  i have read the manual and see it calls for flushing out the system with fresh water after each use (which i have not been doing) and to periodically take the boat's wheel off and then to take off the back cover of the wheel-drive and flush out the insides with fresh water.  i've looked into this because i seem to be notice some "screeching" noises coming out of the wheel drive when i use in standby mode.  does anyone have experience with maintaining the wheel-drive unit and does anyone have experience with taking the boat's wheel off the pedestal (big job? special tools?  any tricks.)  thanks so much for taking time with this.  i greatly appreciate all the valuable input i've received from this association (thank you.)  .. tom

since making this post i've gone down to my boat and flushed out the wheel-drive unit.  there is a nice big sticker on the back of the wheel-drive unit stating the unit should be flushed out with fresh water after each use.  i wasn't aware of this maintenance step (no excuse, except i'm not too smart).  after flushing with fresh water today, my wheel turns easier and i no longer having the screeching sound.  i hope by posting my oversight and the results of flushing out the unit, it will help others.

[Ken Juul]

Screeching is normal for a dirty drive unit.  Flush well with fresh water, a hose works best while you are turning the wheel chock to chock several times to get everything moving.  Disassembly isn't that hard if it needs further cleaning.  If your wheel has not been removed before, you may need a gear puller to get it off the shaft.  When you replace the wheel, it is a good idea to use anti seize paste and just tighten the nut hand tight.  That way if you ever have to remove the wheel underway in an emergency you can get it off easily without tools.  The key ensures the wheel doesn't turn on the shaft not the tightness of the nut.