noise from the alpha z tower

[Ryannjena]

I just took out my new 2009 RZ4 on the weekend and i quickly realized the tower was making a terrible noise on the drivers side. The release pin is also very loose on that side. It sound as if it is hitting something inside (metal to metal). I noticed that the thin strip of rubber around the tower is breaking down. Not sure if I am missing some sort of bushing or something.

[EMGE]

I had a problem with the tower on my 09 22ve from new. After several trips back to the dealer and returning in the same condition I finally fixed the issues myself.

1. The pins that lock the tower were too short and were not locating into the far side of the tower base. They were only making contact by 1/8". I lenghtened the pins by 3/16"and this solved the problem.
2. The rear pin of the tower (the one that screws in from the boat side) will work its way out over time. So check it is screwed in, but dont overtighten as it will spread the tower base and cause sideways movement in the tower.
3. Check that the clearance in the nylon bush that the pin is locating through is not worn. This wont give you a metal to metal noize but will cause some movement.

I think that perhaps your poblem is related to 2. The pin may have worked its way out to a point that it isnt locating on the far side any more and you may have lost the shims down inside you hull.

Be interested to hear how this works out.

[kerlee]

very nice explanation EMGE
I had the same problem on the drivers side as well and they tightened up the screw as you explained in #2

[ImaPigDog]

I also replaced the rubber strips with auto/marine rubber weather stripping and that helped.

[Ryannjena]

Thanks for your explanations. I'll check those things out. I think you are right because the screw pin was almost all the way out when I got the boat from the dealer. It may have loosened in the 500 mile trip.

[EMGE]

I always wondered if in the northern hemisphere the passenger side screw would loosen. But this rule must just apply to toilet water.

In any case. I ended up putting a locking screw to hold the rear pin in place on this side. I haven't had to adjust it now for over a year. You could also use loctite, but it may become an issue later if you need to remove the pin for any reason.