Beneteau 40 rudder stock arm removal

[maloutofoffice]

Hi,

I am fitting a Raymarine autohelm linear drive. The stock arm needs to be lengthened to suit a 240mm length. It must have been designed for an older model autohelm.

So I concerned that if I remove the stock arm which also means removing the sector, there is nothing holding the rudder and it might fall to the bottom of the sea! If I need to remove the stock arm, what holds the stock in the rudder post from falling out?

Thanks,

Mal

 

[Gunni]

Mal;
My rudder stock has a "Rudder Retaining Ring", item #6 on this diagram. The through-pin locks it in place and the ring rides on a bearing at the top of my rudder tube. Good luck.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

The B361 has also that "rudder retaining ring" Gunni mentioned as well as a second pin that you can see only if you disconnect the quadrant.

 

[maloutofoffice]

Thanks Philip and Gunni. I have also been in touch with one of the local distributors and have some more insight now. That conversation confirmed that the stock arm used for the autopilot does indeed hold the stock from falling through the bearings. I have been told that the rudder will float but to be honest I am not game to test that theory!

The proposed approach I will use:

1) Tie a rope to the pin which holds the quadrant and where the emergency steering attaches. This will ensure the rudder won;t fall down (even if it might float anyway)
2) Undo the 3 bolts holding the stock arm and slide it up as far as it can go until it is just under the quadrant.
3) Place a pipe clamp as a temporary support where the stock arm to hold the rudder.
4) Remove the supporting rope and quadrant
5) Slide the stock arm off the top of the stock