Preloading device

A subsea assembly comprising:

• a wellhead,
• a conductor housing, and
• a device which applies a preload between the wellhead and the conductor housing, the device comprising:
• an activating member,
• a datum member,
• a laterally expansible locking ring positioned to engage the conductor housing,
• at least one structural element positioned to secure the datum member relative the wellhead,
• the activating member being moveable in an activating direction relative to the datum member,
• the activating member and the datum member including engagement zones which engage the locking ring so as to cause, in response to movement of the activating member in the activating direction, a lateral movement of the locking ring, said lateral movement having a component, opposite to the activating direction, which is substantially smaller than the movement of the activating member, and
• a laterally expansible support ring which is positioned such that movement of the activating member in the activating direction causes the support member to be moved laterally and to abut and support the locking ring against the engagement zone of the datum member.