how to fix pylon rattles? RLXi

[chriscpm]

My pylon rattles from the vibration of the engine when I'm idling. It feels a little loose too.

I tried to pry the chrome top cover piece off with a razor knife blade, then a flat screwdriver. It seemed to almost pop off, but not quite.

Before I mess up the look on this, I thought I'd check if I'm on the right track. I'm guessing there is some sort of adjustment bolt under the chrome top.

Anyone every make this adjustment? Any help would be welcome.

[mlange]

Exactly where is it rattling? If it appears to be the entire pylon IIRC you can remove that black panel just forward of the engine in the bilge and see where the pylon is bolted in. Make sure that's good and tight.

Edited August 30, 2009 by mlange

[chriscpm]

Exactly where is it rattling? If it appears to be the entire pylon IIRC you can remove that black panel just forward of the engine in the bilge and see where the pylon is bolted in. Make sure that's good and tight.

It seems like the piece the rope attaches to rattles, but I'll check the connection you mentioned next time I'm out too.

[tvano]

that plastic trim piece at the very top of the pylon can be pulled off.

it is held in place by an o-ring but a little corrosion can make it difficult to remove.

i used a drywall knife (very thin/stiff blade) and still left witness marks.

chrome plating a plastic party only works well if the part doesn't need to be removed.

after removing the trim piece you will find a nut at the top w a vertical hex head cap screw that is used as an interference lock.

loosen the cap screw while holding the nut.

it may take a few attempts/patience to get it tight enough so it doesn't rattle but loose enough to spin nice for the rope.

the grease in the bearings was pretty stiff on my '04.

while i had it open i sprayed some 30 weight on the bearings and spun them until they loosened up a bit.

good luck w it.

[chriscpm]

I figured the cap needed to pop off. I was to the point where I was going to mess up the cap. I'll try the drywall knife you said.

that plastic trim piece at the very top of the pylon can be pulled off.

it is held in place by an o-ring but a little corrosion can make it difficult to remove.

i used a drywall knife (very thin/stiff blade) and still left witness marks.

chrome plating a plastic party only works well if the part doesn't need to be removed.

after removing the trim piece you will find a nut at the top w a vertical hex head cap screw that is used as an interference lock.

loosen the cap screw while holding the nut.

it may take a few attempts/patience to get it tight enough so it doesn't rattle but loose enough to spin nice for the rope.

the grease in the bearings was pretty stiff on my '04.

while i had it open i sprayed some 30 weight on the bearings and spun them until they loosened up a bit.

good luck w it.

[Baddog]

I figured the cap needed to pop off. I was to the point where I was going to mess up the cap. I'll try the drywall knife you said.

that plastic trim piece at the very top of the pylon can be pulled off.

it is held in place by an o-ring but a little corrosion can make it difficult to remove.

i used a drywall knife (very thin/stiff blade) and still left witness marks.

chrome plating a plastic party only works well if the part doesn't need to be removed.

after removing the trim piece you will find a nut at the top w a vertical hex head cap screw that is used as an interference lock.

loosen the cap screw while holding the nut.

it may take a few attempts/patience to get it tight enough so it doesn't rattle but loose enough to spin nice for the rope.

the grease in the bearings was pretty stiff on my '04.

while i had it open i sprayed some 30 weight on the bearings and spun them until they loosened up a bit.

good luck w it.

Could also try a very thin wire to get under the edge of the plastic piece, just make sure not to behead the thing.

[dhcomp]

My 08 does the same thing. Just needs to be snugged down due to teh bearing preload not really being set right from teh factory.

Have been too scared to try and pop that top off.......

[JPSkier]

I'm having the same problem. Tried the drywall knife and screwdriver with no luck. Anymore advice out there before this thing drives me crazy

[NorCaliBu]

Maybe try a few drops of an anti-corrosive/lubricant? PB Blaster or even WD-40? But you have to pry that little cap up one way or another. Try two small flathead screwdrivers. Push one in and pry it down slightly then work the second one and pry it downward...

[Baddog]

Maybe try a few drops of an anti-corrosive/lubricant? PB Blaster or even WD-40? But you have to pry that little cap up one way or another. Try two small flathead screwdrivers. Push one in and pry it down slightly then work the second one and pry it downward...

Remember that PB Blaster is one of the nastiest smelling things out there so don't overspray any of it. it works GREAT, just stinks BAD!

[tvano]

i think i have found a better approach for removing the trim cap from the pylon; i used a couple of safety razor blades.

first razor blade inserts easily when tipped slightly down to avoid chipping the chromed plastic trim piece.

second razor blade inserts easily under the first blade.

corrosion was making the removal difficult so i pried (between the two blades) with a very narrow screw driver.

it was easy to move the two blades around the assembly, too.

fwiw: the trim cap has a deep(er) groove for an o-ring.

the aluminum rotating ball (that the ski line attaches to) is lightly grooved where the o-ring (attached to the cap) should ride.

there isn't really much to hold that trim piece in.

[eyepeeler]

How about the old black caps? Are they easy to get off? My pylon doesn't rattle but it feels like it could use some lube.

[wienrdog]

You can pretty easily work the edge of a knife under the black plastic cap.

You'll likely want to remove the pylon head, clean & re-grease the 2 sets of needle bearings there.

[eyepeeler]

You can pretty easily work the edge of a knife under the black plastic cap.

You'll likely want to remove the pylon head, clean & re-grease the 2 sets of needle bearings there.

Thanks wienrdog, finally got the pylon head off. Bone dry.

[tuslake]

Use a 5 in 1 knife, with wd-40 works great!Just set it under cap , hit the end with hand it'll popright off.

[Scott N]

Old thread...I am having the same rattling on my new (to me) 08 RLXi. Will be attempting the cap removal, tightening, and lube.

Looking for some data points from the crew:

1. Sounds like a special socket setup will be needed once I have the cap off. Does anyone have a pic or reference link to the needed socket setup? Better yet (probably wishful thinking), a pic of the top-down view of the pivot head with cap off?

2. I've seen various material being discussed for lubing the bearings inside the pivot head. I have the standard blue marine grease and assume this will work. Any guidance that would say otherwise? Or any lube material that folks are passionate about and would recommend?

Thanks!

Edited July 15, 2017 by Scott N

[poski]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wbWIpRhR02QLcOcA2

My 08 was rattling too.  I can't describe what the fix was (if different from above), since near around the same time I ended it up bringing to the dealer for another reason and just asked them to take care of the rattling while it was there.

 

[Scott N]

On 7/21/2017 at 6:28 AM, poski said:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wbWIpRhR02QLcOcA2

My 08 was rattling too.  I can't describe what the fix was (if different from above), since near around the same time I ended it up bringing to the dealer for another reason and just asked them to take care of the rattling while it was there.

 

Thanks for the pic @poski

Much appreciated.