450 Steering - Owners Need to Check

[Bob Bass]

When changing oil last year and checking everything around the engine, I found that the mounting bolts on the steering gear located to the starboard side of the engine transmission were slightly loose. I tightened them and made a note to check them more often. After our passage back from the Bahamas, I checked them and found that three were loose again and that the fourth had been sheared. These bolts (stainless lag screws) screw into the fiberglass stringer which is very strong but which also holds the engine. Therefore, there is quite a bit of vibration energy from the engine. Also, this gear box has quite a bit of torque on it due to the change of angle in the steering rods that it provides. I replaced the broken bolt and then bedded all four bolts with an adhesive (I used 5200). All 450 owners should check these bolts and consider bedding them with an adhesive. I have run the motor about 30 hours since and they are all still tight. Otherwise, the steering system has performed great along with the Autohelm 7000.Bob BassS/V Toucan Dream, The Fishing Maching

 

[Revett Eldred]

Also check the bearings

Hi Bob:I haven't had the problems you mention, but I did need to replace the main rudder bearings. The original ones became quite loose quite suddenly; there was a thumping noise from them when at anchor and the autopilot wouldn't hold the boat in a straight line. I had the bearings replaced with the newer carbon type (mine were delrin; yours probably are too, as your boat is older than mine). For reasons known only to themselves, Hunter refused to treat it as a warranty job, ignoring the reports from me, the mechanic, and the owner of Florida Yacht Charter, a Hunter dealer.

 

[Bob Bass]

Rudder Bearings?

Everett:I tried to send you an email through the owner's list, but it failed. How much did the replacement of the bearings cost, excluding a haulout?