896 pedstal poles..........

[Jason _G]

Ok I know many ppl have asked about how to prevent the pedstal poles from sticking... But how do you get them out?



On my 896 I had to replace the front pole... I put it in now I can't get it out. I have stood over it and leaned and pulled, shaked and stirred... LOL!



Anyway to get it unstuck? I had this problem with the first pole, but after a few yanks it came out... This one has been yanked on for 45 minutes already....

 

[Mark Northcutt]

Try twisting and pulling like your goin to loosen a screw while pushing the button thingy in. That works for my 882.

If its to tight to twist spray some WD-40 on the base and let it run into the hole.

 

[Thomas Macaluso]

Jason I had the same problem on both my old 884 and my new 929 . In fact I had to replace the front pole on my 884 because I chewed the crap out if it with channel locks . Your best bet is either to have one guy press in the lock button while another guy tries to turn the post . If you need to get a grip on the post try putting a few turns of duct tape around the post then use a pipe wrench carefully , or if there is a home depot around you see if they carry what

 

[Dewey Leggett]

I got rid of the snap poles and use the pin-type screw-in poles. They get stuck too, but you can use a pair of channelock pliers to take them out if you can't get them started with your hands. You ought to keep a pair of those in the boat anyway. Works a ton better than the snap ones.

 

[Craig Roberts]

Try tapping around the pole with a rubber mallet.

 

[Jason _G]

Tried the rubber mallet... No good... Gunna try the ice bags if the temp outside gets above 40ish...



I have the regular pole with no push button on the front. Was the only type in bps when I grabbed it...

 

[Staci Matheis]

I've got the same problem with the poles on my boat but have decided to just let them be.....



On my last boat, the only way I was able to get them out was to borrow a pipe wrench with about an 18" handle and then put about a 4' pipe over that to get enough leverage..... Chewed the daylights out of the poles - but I was going to replace then anyway.....



I had called the people at Swivl-ease at the time seeking a solution. The lady who answered the phone had a "we don't give a damn" attitude. You'd think that, with all the seat mounts they've sold over all the years, they'd come up with a design that didn't stick..... Considering the attitude I ran into, I wish the boat manufacturers would find another supplier.....



me

 

[Texas Transplant]

Okay, I use this technique on my Targa, that has different type of posts, but should still work.



Go down to the hardware store and buy a can of lock ease - stuff that is used to loosen up old locks. It's graphite, suspended in 'alcohol' (I think). Don't get the spray bottle, but rather the squeeze bottle with the top similar to 3-In-1 Oil. Put some around the post/collar receptacle, and let it soak in. You may have to make 3-4 applications.



Let it sit for awhile. You should then be able to start moving the seat. After getting it out, make sure that you put a nice coat on the male piece, and let it dry.



The advantage here is you don't get the vapor lock that you can get with WD40, and the graphite will 'lubricate' the post for quite some time.



If you've heard everyone with a Tracker, complain about the mechanism on the seats, and the difficultyl getting them out - this completely solves the problem. I'll put another dose on this fall/winter, and then another small application in the spring before the busy season starts again.



Tex

 

[Texas Transplant]

Here's the site with the product that I use.
http://www.autobarn.net/chle-4.html

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Same problem with Buzz's. Can't get those buggers out, and so you can't put the cover on. I need to figure it out before he drops it off, because she's spending the winter tucked unter a pole tent and tarp in my back yard. I still like to put the covers on. Let me know if you figure it out Jason.

 

[Roy Cody]

My son had the same problem on his 896 for a couple years. My old 71 FS180 had the pin type seats. He had one adapter that went into his stock hole and accepted the pin style seats. I had a friend make him two more of the adapters and now he uses the pin style exclusively. I gave him any extra pin style parts I had. No more stuck seats!



RoyC

 

[Staci Matheis]

It's easier to use a wood rasp to remove some of the bushing material IF you ever get the poles out.....