321 Rudder Play - Parts

[dmdiehl64]

Hello,

We have enough rudder play on our '98 321 to warrant dropping it. I believe what I will find is some combination of warn bronze bushing (4) or a deterioration of the fiberglass around the bushing. The issue I'm running against is lead time of several parts (don't want to spend more than I have to) vs. when I will know the scope of what I need vs. drop in dates for summer.

Anyone having done this before, what parts might I expect needing to be replaced? Schematic attached. Thanks!

(3) Delrin spacer
(4) Bronze bushing
(2) Rudder tube
(5) Nylon bearing
(6) SS washer

 

[RitSim]

A lot depends on the details. Is the excessive play up/down, fore/aft or port/star.? I would expect more play at the bottom but certainly could also be at the upper bearing. To me, if the bearing has broken loose from the fiberglass and there is damage there, then I would fix the rudder tube/fiberglass. There are some videos on line about replacing the bronze bearings. On my Tides Marine original rudder, I have only plastic bearings. In my case my rudder was too tight.

 

[dmdiehl64]

Thanks. The play is radially. Question - hard to tell from the drawing, is the bushing nested in the rudder tube or is the bushing below it?

 

[jssailem]

the bushing nested in the rudder tube or is the bushing below it?

The bushing would be in the tube. A sleeve around the rudder shaft. Bearings would be at both top and bottom of the fiberglass tube in most designs.

 

[joker460]

Most Oceanis Beneteau rudders are designed the same way. There many videos showing what needs to be done.
Attached are some docs from Beneteau. It may help.
Good Luck

 

[dmdiehl64]

Most Oceanis Beneteau rudders are designed the same way. There many videos showing what needs to be done.
Attached are some docs from Beneteau. It may help.
Good Luck

These are immensely helpful, thanks! Couldn’t even get docs like this from the local dealer.

 

[Wesleymi]

When I dropped my rudder, I couldn't get the steering quadrant apart and had to order a new one. It took 13 weeks to get the new one and then 3 more weeks to get it machined. (Salt water with stainless steel and aluminum don't mix well) I think my bushings were some kind of nylon or something. Needed to remove it to pull the prop shaft. Had it done in Bay City.

 

[dmdiehl64]

Few updates. Got the rudder dropped but had to use an oscillating tool to cut out all 4 bolts for the split ring/quadrant. No amount of heat, PB blaster, or impact could free them up and the bolts sheared right off. Quadrant is still intact though, a huge plus. Getting the 4 sheared off bolts out is going to be another issue altogether.

The procedure attached above notes using 5230 polyurethane glue. I'm assuming this is no longer made or was a typo in the procedure. Would 5200 do the trick or is that too aggressive?

 

[Wesleymi]

Your lucky so far. Mine was corroded to the pin that went thru the rudder shaft. Had to grind away the quadrant to cut the pin to get it out of the shaft. If you do need to get a new quadrant the new one will have to be machine to fit your rudder. The new casting is left unmachined so as to fit other models. Have excellent machine shop in Saginaw that can do that machine it properly.

 

[Mojo321]

Few updates. Got the rudder dropped but had to use an oscillating tool to cut out all 4 bolts for the split ring/quadrant. No amount of heat, PB blaster, or impact could free them up and the bolts sheared right off. Quadrant is still intact though, a huge plus. Getting the 4 sheared off bolts out is going to be another issue altogether.

The procedure attached above notes using 5230 polyurethane glue. I'm assuming this is no longer made or was a typo in the procedure. Would 5200 do the trick or is that too aggressive?

Good day fellow 321 owner, how did all pan out?
Best,
Stephan

 

[dmdiehl64]

Had to take the quadrant to a machine shop to get the sheared off bolts drilled out and helicoils installed in their place. $100 and a one day turnaround, local machine shops are highly under appreciated imo. Fiberglass was solid so it was just a routine bushing replacement. Followed the instructions from an earlier post. Used Sika 291. After it cured there was no movement in the rudder. Lastly, torqued the new 10mm quadrant bolts to 20ft lb and used a little anti seize. I think I can go up to 27ftlb but I was cautious with the A2 stainless bolts, stainless helicoils, and cast aluminum quadrant. Initial 9hr trip to deliver to the summer home and no issues so far.