Rudder pivot degradation OD 23

[brhoads]

Hi all, the bolt that attaches my rudder to the tiller has badly ovalized the hole in the rudder. I’d like to epoxy a 1/2” stainless steel sleeve in the opening to solve the issue. Trouble is where to find a 1/2” OD sleeve with a 3/8” ID without having to order SS tubing off the internet in bulk. Suggestions?

 

[rgranger]

search for bushing

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[thinwater]

Or a pair of flanged bearings. A greased bolt through a pair of backer boards will hold everything straight while it cures.

Adding a little chopped glass to the epoxy will make it much tougher. Just some snippets of finish glass, nothing special.

 

[brhoads]

Thank you! I was wondering how to get that hole set straight again.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I love the idea of the flanged bearings but it might add thickness for which you don't have clearance for in the cassette (metal frame for rudder). If you have to use a normal bushing, you could fill in the hole and then try using a drill guide such as this

I would recommend using a metal that doesnt rust. 306 stainless will rust. My O'Day 25 contently had rust stains coming from the tiller pivot hole. It drove me nuts

 

[brhoads]

Yes, you’re right. I don’t have any clearance in the cassette. I was thinking that I wouldn’t fill the hole with epoxy, but rather epoxy the sleeve into the hole. This way, I can have the bolt in the sleeve as long as I’m careful with epoxy or grease everything up inside the bearing or on the bolt. I can get 90° with a simple L square.

I think I have your beat on rust. The fella I bought this from, had hit a rock with the rudder and had subsequentlyreinforced the pintle strap with galvanized strapping. Talk about rust. The worst part was mechanically removing the 4600 or 5200 or whatever it was he put in the gap where the pintle through bolts had damaged the rudder stock. Not fun. Thank you again for even more help!