Tower knob just spins

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  • homer12
    Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
    • Feb 2016
    • 584

    • Indianapolis, IN

    • 2004 SV211 TE

    Tower knob just spins

    We went to lower the tower this weekend to put in garage for winter storage, and the starboard knob just wanted to spin without getting loose. First off, I couldn't get it by hand, so I put a towel and some big channel locks on it and got it to turn. It just spun though without doing anything. I think the plastic inside could have given way with however it is attached to the bolt. Anyone ever had this issue? I would cut off and replace but I certainly don't want the bolt stuck in the tower leg. When I get this out I need to get some anti-seize on these bolts apparently.
  • kend
    • Oct 2013
    • 193

    • DFW, Texas

    • current 2001 Air Nautique previous 1988 Sanger DX

    #2
    I was able to tap the knob with a hammer to jar the threads loose; then I put some glue where the knob meets the metal and was able to thread it out. I put anti-seize on both sides and it has worked fine ever since.
    Ken
    2001 DD Air GT40

    Comment

    • homer12
      Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
      • Feb 2016
      • 584

      • Indianapolis, IN

      • 2004 SV211 TE

      #3
      Did you tap up on it or down or in the direction of loosening it? There is a center cap that popped out of mine when squeezing with channel locks


      Sent from my iPhone using PLANETNAUTIQUE mobile app

      Comment

      • distinguishedmotorsports
        Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
        • Aug 2016
        • 481

        • Austin, TX

        • current: 2006 Cobalt 343 with twin 525hp Mercs former boats:'99 Air, '12 210, '10 230, '07 236, '06 211, '05 220, '06 220, '06 210

        #4
        I had a bought i purchased that had a broken bolt in the tower. lucked out in that it failed in between the upper and lower. i just undid all the other bolts, and lifted it over. had to put a notch in the remnant still in the tower and put a big flat head on it. it came right out. you may want to try a lubricant or PB blaster on it before attempting again. if its not broken in two pieces, its likely seized due to corrosion.

        nautique parts sells the replacement knob/bolts. just a heads up they use snap rings for the stopper you you may wanna grab a set of snap ring pliers. or at least they did on my 07 236

        Comment

        • ScooterMcgavin
          1,000 Post Club Member
          • Jul 2011
          • 1478

          • Florida

          • 2014 SAN 210 TE

          #5
          Is the knob unscrewing off the bolt and not turning the bolt?
          2009 Super Air Nautique 210 TE
          2006 Super Air Nautique 210 TE
          1989 Sport Nautique

          Comment

          • homer12
            Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
            • Feb 2016
            • 584

            • Indianapolis, IN

            • 2004 SV211 TE

            #6
            Originally posted by ScooterMcgavin View Post
            Is the knob unscrewing off the bolt and not turning the bolt?
            The knob is just twisting around the bolt and nothing is loosening up. I am wondering if I cut the plastic knob off if there would be a hex bolt of something similar I could grab onto.

            Comment

            • homer12
              Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
              • Feb 2016
              • 584

              • Indianapolis, IN

              • 2004 SV211 TE

              #7
              So to make sure I have this right. Does the bolt thread into tapped threads in the tower itself or a nut that is supposed to be welded into the leg? I'm thinking I'm going to have to cut the plastic off, get to the metal to get something to bite on it. I wanted to be sure it's not spinning in the tower leg. It turns very difficultly but does not get any looser.


              Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

              Comment

              • ski4evr
                Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
                • May 2010
                • 613

                • Bowling Green, KY

                • 2005 SV 211

                #8
                The upper tower should be aluminum tapped to the proper threads. I have read on here where the corrosion basically destroyed the threads and owners had to use a heli-coil to replace the threads. my experience with aluminum and stainless brought me to use nickel anti-sieze right off the bat after purchasing my boat 5 years ago. the threads were really dry and definitely needed lubrication and the anti-sieze takes care of any issues. if I am not mistaken, the knob is pressed onto the stud. hopefully that is where it is spinning and not stripped out in the tower.
                2005 SV-211

                Comment

                • homer12
                  Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
                  • Feb 2016
                  • 584

                  • Indianapolis, IN

                  • 2004 SV211 TE

                  #9
                  Thanks ski4ever. That's what I am assuming at this point. I'll take pics when I get time to cut apart


                  Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

                  Comment

                  • homer12
                    Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
                    • Feb 2016
                    • 584

                    • Indianapolis, IN

                    • 2004 SV211 TE

                    #10
                    Resurrecting this issue now and getting ready to tackle it. I've found from removing the cap that pops out of the center of the knob that the plastic knob is spinning around the brass insert that has the female threads on it. So, basically the threads are seized on each end of that shaft. Here is a pic of the pieces from NP: https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...2006-211-2004/

                    Does anyone think it is a bad idea to drill a very small hole in the tower leg tubing to be able to put a straw and penetrating lube down in there? I can't figure out a way to get penetrating lube to those threads in the tower leg and am sure if I could soak those well it would start to release. I've had this bolt out of those threads about 3-4 months before it seized up.

                    Comment

                    • homer12
                      Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
                      • Feb 2016
                      • 584

                      • Indianapolis, IN

                      • 2004 SV211 TE

                      #11
                      Well, what do ya know! I started to cut the plastic knob off with a hacksaw and bang on it with a hammer to get the plastic off and voila - the corrosion on the threads let go and the knob started to turn like it's supposed to. Now I just hopefully need to replace the knob I cut up, clean up all the threads and ad some anti-seize to everything.

                      Comment

                      • Skidave
                        Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
                        • May 2005
                        • 697

                        • York, PA

                        • 2003 Air 206 Team Sold: 1979 Ski Nautique (Brown!)

                        #12
                        Nice! Grab a beer and relax.

                        Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

                        Comment

                        • homer12
                          Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
                          • Feb 2016
                          • 584

                          • Indianapolis, IN

                          • 2004 SV211 TE

                          #13
                          Finally got the knob off the shaft last night with a hacksaw and Dremel. Had red loctite in there and wasn't going anywhere!


                          Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

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