Back on July 30th, I started this thread about a strange noising coming from the steering system.
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/rudder-shaft-rudder-tube-noise.197783/
It seemed no one had an idea about my issue so I returned to the boat and tried to take a few photos with my iPhone. I couldn't see any issues but could see where the radial wheel sat on top of the rudder shaft log. I sprayed a lot of McLube Sailkote into the area and no more noise.
But I wasn't completely satisfied I fixed the problem so I bought a $35 Endoscope that connected to my iPhone via wifi. I went back to the boat on Thursday to give the steering box an endoscopy.
What I saw scared the crap out of me so I had the boat hauled today and took off the radial wheel and inspected things.
I was lucky the radial wheel came off intact and with no broken bolts. As the endoscope photos showed, the starboard steering cable thimble had rubbed through the fiberglass shaft log and was wearing on the SS rudder post. Several strands of the cable had worn through. The port steering cable also had several broken strands but had not worn through the shaft log.
Not sure why this happened. I talked to and sent photos to Edson. They are going to review and get back to me tomorrow.
In the meantime I have a cable/chain kit coming as well has a new rudder stop. The turning sheaves at the bottom of the pedestal are in good shape.
That $35 Endoscope may have saved us from a disaster.
I'll let you know what Edson says.
Ward
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/rudder-shaft-rudder-tube-noise.197783/
It seemed no one had an idea about my issue so I returned to the boat and tried to take a few photos with my iPhone. I couldn't see any issues but could see where the radial wheel sat on top of the rudder shaft log. I sprayed a lot of McLube Sailkote into the area and no more noise.
But I wasn't completely satisfied I fixed the problem so I bought a $35 Endoscope that connected to my iPhone via wifi. I went back to the boat on Thursday to give the steering box an endoscopy.
What I saw scared the crap out of me so I had the boat hauled today and took off the radial wheel and inspected things.
I was lucky the radial wheel came off intact and with no broken bolts. As the endoscope photos showed, the starboard steering cable thimble had rubbed through the fiberglass shaft log and was wearing on the SS rudder post. Several strands of the cable had worn through. The port steering cable also had several broken strands but had not worn through the shaft log.
Not sure why this happened. I talked to and sent photos to Edson. They are going to review and get back to me tomorrow.
In the meantime I have a cable/chain kit coming as well has a new rudder stop. The turning sheaves at the bottom of the pedestal are in good shape.
That $35 Endoscope may have saved us from a disaster.
I'll let you know what Edson says.
Ward