23.5 Tiller wobble

[Andy Jones]

The pivot bolt hole on my 1993 aluminum tiller has wobbled out. I repaired it 3 or 4 years ago with a plastic pipe fitting inserted into the tiller and drilled new holes. That is now also beginning to wallow out. Does anyone have any ideas on a more permanent fix?Is anyone else having this problem?

 

[Alberto]

wooden insert

The problem is caused by friction and galvanic corrosion between stainless steel and aluminum in presence of salt.I have inserted a piece of wooden pole, exactly the internal diameter of the aluminum tiller tube, fixed it with thru aluminum rivets, ad re-drilled the thru hole for the stainless steel bolt.Be sure also to insert plastic insulators for the contact between the bolt and the 2 aluminum side cheeks of the rudder blade, which also tends to suffer from corrosion.ByeAlbertoCanta che ti passa

 

[Andy Jones]

Thanks

Thanks for the idea. A piece of wooden closet rod may be just about the right size.Andy

 

[Ken Shubert]

Weld Sleeve

I can't blame it on salt corrosion since my boat has never been with 800 miles of salt water but still had the tiller wobble. This really drove the tiller autopilot wild too. My welding shop just inserted a bushing and welded it in. I placed a SS washer on each side and keep it well greased with silicone grease. KenS/V WouffHong