C28 Stern Thruster - Replacing Shear Pin

[shieldsfx]

I originally posted this under General Technical, but no responses.. How do you access the C28 Stern Thruster to replace the shear pin? I've done the Bow Thruster change, but first time for Stern. I understand it's a bit more difficult?

 

[LADY JANE]

Try going to the ADVANCED SEARCH block on top of the Tugnuts Home Page. Type in & enter +Stern Thruster Access for specific maint info regarding that unit.
B.B.

 

[ronnieg]

Please give me a call I can walk you thru on how to get acesss to the stern thruster and the replacement of the shear pin

 

[shieldsfx]

As an update: I've spoken to Ronnie who guided me on how to access the stern thruster. It's basically under the swing bench. Here's how:
1. Remove bottom cushion on swing bench, removing three screws
2. Remove the two larger bolts holding bench to boat. One is accessible on both sides, but the other requires you to remove the cupholder to access.
3. Remove 4 screws holding lid (the flat top under the swing bench)
4. Remove 4 screws holding tub, remove tub.
5. Remove 4 screws from front small panel in front of tub (this will allow better reach when removing thruster)

Stern Thruster should be visible on bottom right. The exhaust hose is in the way but can be moved or removed for better access. There's another scupper hose which can also be removed (I noticed mine actually had a slit/leak, so I replaced).

Now for the fun, removing the two bolts holding the thruster. I was able to get one off with 6mm hex wrench, but could not remove the right one, due to torque. I understand there's a special tool, which Ronnie is sending, so not fixed yet. We'll see and report back, but definitely harder than changing the bow thruster.

 

[BB marine]

I have not had a shear pin break yet but would like to be prepared in the event I do . I have a 26 Cutwater and would think it is the same or very similar to remove the motor bow and stern . I got down to each one to see what size wrench I needed and found that fabricating a tool would help in the removal of the socket head screws . I wasn't sure of the wrench size because my allen wrench was to big . 6mm is the right size ? I was going to take a small ratcheting wrench cut a allen to shorten it enough to fit and tack weld it to the wrench. If cutwater has a tool better yet !
Brian Brown
PORT A GEE
26 Cutwater
BB marine Posts: 20

 

[shieldsfx]

FINAL UPDATE:

I'm behind in providing the "end of my story", replacing the stern thruster pin. Here's the update:

Last report, I could not remove the two bolts holding the thruster in place. After torching them for a while... and two different penetrating oils... and more brut force, I finally got them off. I did try the special hex tool, mentioned above, but that wasn't very helpful (too small, needed more leverage). So, my 6mm hex wrench that I cut on short side (about 1/4 inch) fit better and did the trick. This thruster either needs a new wrench or different bolts!

So, after putting everything back together again, the replacement pin worked for ONE day and broke. Yes, it was not a good day. At least I knew what I was doing the second time and bolts were lubed. I won't get into why these pins seem overly sensitive. I get their purpose, but they may need to be calibrated by the manufacturer a bit more.

I put the boat into winter storage a week later and called it a year. Good luck to all those replacing their stern thruster pin.