Replacing Porthole Knobs on IP380

Hi there team,
We recently ordered and received a set of replacement knobs for the portholes on our IP380 as many of the existing ones had cracked and some were missing.
When I started the replacement job I quickly hit the problem of removing the old knobs because the spindle with the screw thread is held in place by an axle rod that appears to be fixed to the main body of the porthole by a fixed ring at each end rather than by a nut or screw, so I have not been able to take off the axle to remove the old knob and install the new one......hope that description makes sense!!!

Does anyone know how to remove these porthole knobs without resorting to brute force and ignorance......which would be my normal default setting???

Any enlightening comments most gratefully received.

Mike
Island Girl 1
Hull No 167

Hi Mike,

It isn't obvious, is it?

The axle is stainless steel pin wrapped in a softer metal. (?). That pin must be driven through, one side to the other, to free the old knob. It doesn't matter which direction you approach it from, though you'll quickly see why it's easier to hammer from one side than the other. I think I used a small screwdriver, but a punch would be better. It was a little tough to get started, but there isn't any trick to it.

Good luck. If you get stuck, post some pictures and someone will be able to provide more specific instructions.

Steve

Ha, many thanks Steve....I suspected that that would be the solution but I didn't want to go ahead and start hammering out the pins until I was sure.You have saved the day!!!