Drilling holes through the rudder quadrant and aluminium spacer
To accommodate the new installation of the autopilot linear drive, brackets must be added to the rudder quadrant to accept the linear drive pin and rudder reference ball joint. The general layout of the parts were drawn on my work table to facilitate the design process. Once a design was chosen, half of the rudder quadrant was removed an brought to the work bench to accomplish the task. A small 3/8″ thick piece of aluminium was made and bolted to the quadrant using existing holes taped to accommodate 3/8″ stainless steel bolts.
Spacer and actuator pin fitted to quadrant
The completed spacer is trial fitted to the quadrant. The bolts will be removes and all part mating surfaces painted with anti-seize compound during final installation to facilitate service or removal should repair be necessary in the future. The steering cable rides in the perimeter groove below the spacer. The actuator is mounted above and out of the way of the steering cables. The linear actuator has a ball joint that slips over the pin and secured by the hairpin.
Rudder Reference Ball Joint Bracket
Lastly, the rudder reference ball joint bracket is attached to the underside of the quadrant where a 12″ long stainless bar links the quadrant and rudder reference via plastic ball joints. Now the parts are ready for final installation.