Whitlock Steering Maintenance guidance needed

[Anthony Iacono]

 Toward the end of last season, I started hearing a clicking sound at the Whitlock steering wheel on my 1997 J/42. As best I can tell, the noise seems to be coming from inside the pedestal, although it may be coming from below. I also feel slight resistance in the wheel at certain times.

The boat has the original Whitlock steering mechanism. I’m not at the boat now and I’m not certain of the equipment but from an online search think, It may be a Whitlock Cobra premier rack and pinion staring system with a custom quadrant 1.4:1 gearing ratio. Does that sound right?  I know Whitlock is no longer around. 

Has anyone experienced something similar with a Whitlock?  If so, what was the cause, and how did you fix it?

Before I or the yard start taking things apart, I’d like to find the correct owner’s manual and, ideally, an internal diagram, parts breakdown, or schematic of the steering mechanism. Any leads to the right manual or drawings would be greatly appreciated.

Tony Iacono Affinity

[WSC]

I did a bunch of research and some "fixes" based on similar issues.  Enclosed is the whitlock premier model (Monarch) that was OEM with VIDA.   It's not to hard to do some initial troubleshooting - just remove the compass and you get a good look at how it works.  Cliff at https://www.facebook.com/WhitlockSteering/ and his team seem to be the only ones left with some parts and service info/advice.  

Sean C / VIDA J42 #1

[Anthony Iacono]

Thank you Sean

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "J/4X Owner's Group" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to j4x-owners-gro...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/07d5bdc4-4789-4262-8a16-0026fb130a20n%40googlegroups.com.

[Dennis Boyd]

Sean, 

Thank you too.   I have a feeling i am going to ordering some parts.   This is very timely. 

Dennis 

Jaywalker J/42 #6

[WSC]

Parts are very scarce.  The one everyone wants (including me) is the gear quadrant and I've been looking for years.  If you find it I'll pay you 2x, but you won't want to sell it at that point!  lol.

[Dennis Boyd]

Fellow Whitlocker's  

When I was doing some research I found this blog on Whitlock rack and pinnon.   I don't think it is the same model, but I found the images and tips helpful in helping me understand that there is no cable or chains.

as they say your mileage may vary.  

Steering Pedestal Repairs – "C Change"

Dennis 

Jaywalker J/42 #6

[Anthony Iacono]

Dennis and Sean, Thanks much... What follows does not address the noise in the steering but something that may also need to addressed:  Its role is to prevent the rudder from turning too far in either direction. The yard identified it as the "Pedestal mounting backing plate with rudder stops” or maybe it is called the  rudder stop or quadrant stop. The function is to prevent the wheel from from over-rotating. Do you have a line on finding that part? Ti

[WSC]

On our Whitlock installation, that "part" is simply two small L-shaped aluminum brackets mounted under the pedestal - accessible from the aft berth drop down that covers the based of the steering pedestal.   They are mounted on either side of the span in which the steering system swings thru when you turn the helm and act as "stoppers".  You can see the stopper-bracket in this pic on the right.  I think it could be easily made if missing or needing to be replaced.

Sean C

[Anthony Iacono]

Thx Sean,

Your boat was likely made in 1995, mine late 1997. The photo attached is the part I’m speaking about. It is the horse shoe shaped piece which is rusted. I believe it serves exactly the same function as the aluminum stops in your photo. I imagine it would be easy to fabricate.

Ti

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 14, 2026, at 6:30 AM, 'WSC' via J/4X Owner's Group <j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

On our Whitlock installation, that "part" is simply two small L-shaped aluminum brackets mounted under the pedestal - accessible from the aft berth drop down that covers the based of the steering pedestal.   They are mounted on either side of the span in which the steering system swings thru when you turn the helm and act as "stoppers".  You can see the stopper-bracket in this pic on the right.  I think it could be easily made if missing or needing to be replaced.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/1dd6dec6-5d48-415e-8e12-eafb2789caeen%40googlegroups.com.

<worn n2k cable 081224.jpg>

[Dennis Boyd]

Well i am interested.     Luckily I am still up in WI and plan on going by the boat again this am befor I leave.     Jaywalker was also built in same time as being discussed.    I clearly have that rusted "horseshoe"   I have been over past two months removing rust and painting it.  I also popped the compass out.   I am planning to replace the throttle level, cables, and repaint the fiberglass "top hat"   So I have  "a good view"

By accident the yard looked at the stops , vs the throttle cables.  They advised me that I am hitting the stop on one side and not the other.  My rudder swings to port about 15 degree more than to starboard.   They also told me that after they fix that I'll have recalibrate the auto pilot.    Honestly I have not had time to investigate further.    But I think the stops are back in the space around the rudder, in that aft locker.   I'll crawl back in the this morning and take some photos to see if I can figure out what is going on.    

Also, will measure the cables which is my goal this am.     

Dennis 

Jaywalker #6 J/42

[Dennis Boyd]

Here is what my "horseshoe" looks like and the stops are welded to it.   The arm swings from stop to stop.  It touches the stop when hard to port,  it does not touch stop on hard to starboard.   However, something is off since the rudder swings more to Starboard than port.     Something slipped or is out of adjustment.     I am not sure.

Also popped the compass out, interesting to see everything.     I am unclear how to remove thottle handle, clutch button, and the lift off the f/g top hat so I can replace throttle mechanism and cables.   Ah the learning curve. 

Hope the pic helps.

Dennis

Jaywalker 

J/42 #6

[Anthony M Iacono]

Thank you, Dennis. Good luck with that. I cannot help you. As for your “horseshoe” did you simply remove the rust and weld down the stoppers then paint it?

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 14, 2026, at 7:38 PM, Dennis Boyd <dennis....@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/2e8965c5-b766-4e74-9ab6-2e08309bd64fn%40googlegroups.com.

<Horseshoe with wheel stops.jpg>

[Dennis Boyd]

Well both the stoppers were welded in place on mine   Then i treated the steel with some rust killer products, sanded and primed.     I need to sand and prime again before I do a top coat.   

if you removed it, I'm sure you could get it sandblasted and weld a stopper in.   

dennis