trouble locking-in mirage drive

I have a '09 AI and often have had trouble seating and locking-in the mirage drive. Sometimes it takes me 5-10 minutes to accomplish. No trouble unlocking. I also have experienced one side of the drive unlocking by itself while out sailing. This can cause the real problem of jamming the drive sideways, which I've also experienced. Can anyone advise how to solve these problems?

Review the drive FAQ about installing drives. Practice on dry land. Can seem harder if the pedals are adjusted way aft or forward because, when you grasp the to cranks, the drive will be tipped forward or aft.

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=12836

Coming loose? If you have the Click and Go lever system... likely... you may have a drive with a drum shaft that is not splined. They will spin under the lever as you pedal and eventually pop the lever open. Or, you might be tripping the lever open with your heal.

Current Drum Shafts have splines.


Also note that the older shaft has rounded ends... newer has bevels.

See a dealer for a no charge replacement if this is the case.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I have a serius problem with my mirage drive. It has jamed in a position with the right side locked and the other side unlocked, the whole thing pointing 15 degrees to rhe right. Can't move it at al! Will I have to unscrew the fundaments or is there an easier solution?!?

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Kjell

"I'd rather be playing string quartet"

Some of us here have experienced your problem and have found brute strength to be the only solution to unlock the jam....Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

That happened to Greg and I once during a storm (two boats at the same time).
Reach underneath the boat, grab the drive and pull very hard, i seem to remember the same direction of the way it was leaning. The drive will "un-click" pretty easily then.

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'09 Adventure Island (SOLD)
2017 Tandem Island

Thanks to Matt for getting back to me on my trouble with locking-in the mirage drive. When I examined the click-N-Go assembies that hold in the drive more closely, I found the left one was a bit loose. I could jiggle it a bit. After buying an allen "ball" wrench I tightened the assembly and have since had no problem locking in the mirage unit. Another reason I may have had trouble in the past is that mud from launching may have lodged in the aft part of the well as I pushed off. It's a good idea to check and feel (one can't see) that there's no obstuction in the well before trying to insert the mirage drive. Thanks again, Matt! .

Arrrr for the power of positive thinking. I am sure we will all experience a jam like you did without any help from loose fittings and mud. It just happens when one side is released and the other remaining engaged when you are peddling. Nearly always whilst sailing in rough conditions when you are less in control of your feet which unknowingly kick a lever open then beginning peddling ensues a convincing jam that needs more than positive thought to undo....Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

“Mirage drive jam”

After having studied all the good advices on the forum I returned to my AI. I used as much ”brutal force” I could – without any result.

Overview



Details

In order to try another method I then had to solve an entirely different problem that turned out to be surprisingly difficult – how to translate “ball wrench” into swedish!
The correct expression is “insexnyckel med kula”.

The tool

I bought one and to losen the right fundament
was surpringly easy and that fixed the jam.
No problem putting the fundament back.
This have learnt me not to tilt the drive neither forward nor backward when putting it in place and since then everything works OK.

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Kjell

"I'd rather be playing string quartet"

That "ball wrench" might be a good tool to bring along on any longer trips...

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Joakim
- A noob with a red AI -11.

... and could also be used to "drive" out a broken rudder pin

- two tools in one !

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Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV

The plastic lock cap/cover on one side somehow became unscrewed and lost. Works ok without it but would really like to replace it. Hope Hobie can help.

Contact your dealer for any needed parts issues.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)