Rotech steering
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:06 am
I have decided to replace the original Detmar steering system on my 1997 Mac 26X--which in fact never gave me any reason to complain so far, aside from some loose play at the wheel (about 10 degrees each way) . But the "almost no feedback" feature would come in handy and allow me to use the poor man's autopilot (a dedicated bungee cord at the wheel) to more profitable ends. I found one on sale for $120 (cable, rack, and shipping included) so I splurged. The only cable dimension that was not on backorder was a ten footer, so I went with that. Besides, it was the length generally recommended on the board.
Replacing the system was a pretty straightforward affair. Didin't have to saw off the original cable. I disconnected it at the rack, taped the plastic tube in place to prevent grease smearing, and pulled it through the steering column. The original detmar nut at the rudders gave me some grief (there wasn't enough room to use a big wrench) so I dismantled the rudder attachment, pulled it through the aft hole, and unscrewed it in the workshop. The plastic cap of the wheel came off easily after I removed the tiny screw (the original owner has wisely used teflon tape around it) but the little wedge that keeps the wheel on the hub was a royal pain in the neck. The concept seems clever enough but when the wedge gets stuck to the shaft (could be a case of metal osmosis) removing the little sucker requires much ingenuity in cursing. Tried hammering it in with a screwdrived from above--it only flattened it, instead of making it rock, as it was wont to. Finally, I had to cut out the original plastic collar. That gave me enough room for the shaft to move into the steering column after removing the original three screws that kept it in place. A couple of hammer hits on the head of the shaft dislodged it. The rest of the installation went on quickly. The original hole and even the screw holes still matched. I made sure the blades turn in the right direction when I turned the wheel. Even if they didn't, that would have been an easy fix: the rack has an entrance and an exit hole for the cable--disconnect the rudder linkage, turn the wheel until the cable runs out of the rack, and rethread it through the other whole
1. A ten foot cable is longer than the original Detmar cable. Now the cable goes all the way down to the mattress, while the original one left some room to squeeze in underneath it. Wonder if an even LONGER cable (12?) would not have enabled me to go with it UNDER the matress. Anybody tried that?
2. No more slop in the steering--but that may also be the result of my tightening up the wiggly connectors in the rudders. I should have begun with that.
3. The steering is not noticeably easier. (I guess I was lucky with the original Detmar cable) but the wheel stays in place as it is supposed to. Got to get used to it--not sure if I like it or not as yet
4. The Rotech system is made in Italy while the original one is in the ole USA. Now I am getting suspicious
Replacing the system was a pretty straightforward affair. Didin't have to saw off the original cable. I disconnected it at the rack, taped the plastic tube in place to prevent grease smearing, and pulled it through the steering column. The original detmar nut at the rudders gave me some grief (there wasn't enough room to use a big wrench) so I dismantled the rudder attachment, pulled it through the aft hole, and unscrewed it in the workshop. The plastic cap of the wheel came off easily after I removed the tiny screw (the original owner has wisely used teflon tape around it) but the little wedge that keeps the wheel on the hub was a royal pain in the neck. The concept seems clever enough but when the wedge gets stuck to the shaft (could be a case of metal osmosis) removing the little sucker requires much ingenuity in cursing. Tried hammering it in with a screwdrived from above--it only flattened it, instead of making it rock, as it was wont to. Finally, I had to cut out the original plastic collar. That gave me enough room for the shaft to move into the steering column after removing the original three screws that kept it in place. A couple of hammer hits on the head of the shaft dislodged it. The rest of the installation went on quickly. The original hole and even the screw holes still matched. I made sure the blades turn in the right direction when I turned the wheel. Even if they didn't, that would have been an easy fix: the rack has an entrance and an exit hole for the cable--disconnect the rudder linkage, turn the wheel until the cable runs out of the rack, and rethread it through the other whole
1. A ten foot cable is longer than the original Detmar cable. Now the cable goes all the way down to the mattress, while the original one left some room to squeeze in underneath it. Wonder if an even LONGER cable (12?) would not have enabled me to go with it UNDER the matress. Anybody tried that?
2. No more slop in the steering--but that may also be the result of my tightening up the wiggly connectors in the rudders. I should have begun with that.
3. The steering is not noticeably easier. (I guess I was lucky with the original Detmar cable) but the wheel stays in place as it is supposed to. Got to get used to it--not sure if I like it or not as yet
4. The Rotech system is made in Italy while the original one is in the ole USA. Now I am getting suspicious
There is now a piece of white plastic board instead, but it looks like it was intended because I stuck a Rutan rudder-indicator in the middle 
(which is also quite useful).
I find you don't really loose the feeling of what the rudders are doing, because when actively steering you're continuously making corrections, and you feel the difference in pressure to one side or the other.