97 Speedster Steering Nozzle

[digerata]

Hi All,

This past weekend I had the boat out and the steering started feeling really janky. I get back to shore and I see that the steering linkage between the two nozzles is hanging down. The threaded stud that sticks down from the bottom of the left steering nozzle snapped. Grrr!

To me, this doesn't look like something that can be tapped out and replaced. Has anyone been able to do that? Or is this something that requires the whole steering nozzle to be replaced?

Thanks for any tips!

-Mike

 

[Dr Honda]

Post a pic. it will be easier to give you an opinion.

 

[digerata]

Doh!

Here I am, three hours away from it, realizing I didn't take any pictures…

What I can tell you is the break was fairly clean. Almost flush with the bottom of the hole in the nozzle the thread sits in. I do have the control rod with me and the broken stud still in the end. Here is a pic…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewille/9395683547/sizes/h/in/set-72157634855493774/

Before this happened, the stud was slightly bent and wiggled a bit in the seat. It's how the boat came to me, so not sure what happened to it.

-Mike

 

[Coastiejoe]

Anything lose is never good as it works back and forth and up and down. It weakens itself or whatever it is bolted to.

I need a picture of the other half to help you better. But,,, I am sure Doc is familiar with it so I am betting he will have an answer if there is one.

 

[digerata]

Thanks for the input!

I may try and drive back up in the next few days to remove the nozzle and snag a photo. I'm never making that mistake again!

Is there a process to remove and replace the stud, given everything is undamaged and in good shape? Has anyone done that?

I know a good welder, now that I think about it That's probably a bad idea though...

 

[Dr Honda]

The problem is... I can't see the damaged part.

I know what it should look like... but without seeing the damage... it's impossible to give advice, other than buy a new nozzle, and stud. But, knowing the parts are crazy expensive, and probably discontinued... that's not really a good answer. (LOL)


Isn't there anyone close to the boat who could take a pic? That's a long drive otherwise.

 

[gokeeper]

I am almost certain this is what he is talking about

Its discontinued and easy to break.

The bolt is cast in to the nozzle however its cast aluminum and you can grind the bolt flat and drill and tap for 1/2-20 stainless bolt just use some thread lock red. I have done this on mine at the direction of Dr Honda and it works well.

 

[digerata]

gokeeper: Right on, that's what I'm talking about. Thanks for helping to illustrate!

Doc: There was no visible damage I could see, but I'm sure you would spot something I wouldn't. I'm going to head up this weekend and retrieve it.

Two quick questions, I've added the nozzle to the shopping cart in SeadooWarehouse. It doesn't show out of stock. Is this something where they call you afterwards to tell you it is discontinued and not carried anymore?

And: does the stud come with a new nozzle?

Thanks for the input, guys!

 

[gokeeper]

Yes the stud does come with the new nozzle, I have a 1997 Seadoo Challenger and i;m not sure but believe that is the same part. I looked for a while and no one had one all were discontinued. This is why I chose to fix mine. It works well and cost 1.12.

 

[Dr Honda]

That's the thing........

I know what part it is.... but before I can say.... "Drill it out, and tap it for a new stud" (or something like that) I need to know if the nozzle was damaged.


Also... on different boats (years) they were plastic (can't really fix) or they were aluminum. (can be welded, drilled and tapped) I need to know what yours were made of.

 

[digerata]

Guys, thanks for your help on this. We are all fixed up and ready to go!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewille/9420252275/in/set-72157634855493774

(Not sure why uploading a photo never works for me...)

My little brother surprised me and did all the work. Awesome guy. Luckily, he told me before I drove the 6 hours to go pick it up! The stud is SS, but had to go up in size because the old threads came right out when tapped. (maybe this is not the first time this procedure has been done?) He ended up drilling out the link end to fit the stud. I'm hoping that doesn't cause too many problems. But we couldn't find a replacement to fit that was SS.

Thanks again, you guys rock!