Broken Wedge

[Harry B]

I have a 1998 Sunsetter LX with a manual wedge.  The foil broke a couple years ago so I had it welded back together.    It broke again the other day at the hole where the pin goes thru to hold it in place up or down.   At this point I think there may be a fair amount of metal fatigue so I'm reluctant to have it welded again.    When it does break the water pressure forces it up and I know bending like this is not good for the strength of aluminum.

Any ideas?   

Anyone aware of a Malibu boneyard (junk yard) where I might be able to get the foil as the mounting seems to continue to be in good shape.    

Any chance of getting a replacement foil or full wedge assembly from Malibu?

 

 

[Bozboat]

Very hard to find a used one, and production stopped on new ones years ago.  I wonder if a machine shop could make a new one for less than crazy money?

[Bozboat]

Hmm, going to have to make some repairs 

[justgary]

Did you just happen to notice it that way, or did you hear a pop?

[Bozboat]

9 hours ago, justgary said:

Did you just happen to notice it that way, or did you hear a pop?

Discovered it while doing vacation maintenance. Don’t use it much. Looks like an easy fix.

[JasonK]

Here you go: Malibuparts Support

Auto Set Wedge Complete Kit is now available to order from Malibuparts.com

$1,850

Edited September 18, 2023 by JasonK

[JasonK]

Or get:

Manual Wedge Foil - Stainless

$1,032.00

 

[Bozboat]

1 hour ago, JasonK said:

Or get:

Manual Wedge Foil - Stainless

$1,032.00

 

interested, but it does not appear to fit my boat.  Mine would have two cross members.   One serves to lock the wedge up and the other serves to lock the wedge down. The one for sale has one cross member and the boat fitment says nope. 

[Ronnie]

I had a '04 23LSV back in the day that kept doing what you pictured. It even came apart once and I had to bend one of the arms back to a usefull shape. I got in the habit of checking those screws with an impact driver every few times we went out. Finally bought a floating wedge and put it on to solve the issue.

[justgary]

Keeping the screws tight would be a great way to distribute the stress on the heads.  I would also consider adding a third screw between the two.

I have the same wedge, but it hasn't given me any trouble lying in the pile next to my shop.  I took it off because I don't use it, and it is just extra weight.