Creaking Rudder Post

[Brian147]

I noticed a creaking sound coming from the rudder of my H-380. First thought it was a bad ball joint that connects to the quadrant. Upon further investigation, I found the upper stainless bearing was slightly shifting back and forth on the fiberglass rudder post while turning the wheel.

Not sure how to fix this and advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Brian147]

I posted this a few months ago and did not receive any responses. About ready to try and repair this and wanted to clarify the problem. It is not the bearing, but the stainless sleeve around the post that is shifting causing the creaking sound. This sleeve is bonded to the fiberglass post with some sort of epoxy. Has anyone had or heard of this problem before and short of dropping the rudder, any ideas on fixing this.
Thanks, Brian

 

[heart of gold]

Brian, I have the same creaking noise on my '34. I'll take a look and see if it is the same problem and if it is and I see a fix, i'll chime in again.

 

[Captain Gadget]

my squeak solved

Not sure if a creaky rudder is the same as a squeaky rudder but I posted a similiar problem and have since solved it.
See photo: The stainless post was rubbing against the bearing on the port side causing the squeak. The rudder was dropped 6 inches with the boat on blocks.
Easy to do. The stainless post was sanded with 600 grit and solvent to clean it, silicon grease applied and rudder re-installed. Squeak gone!
How long it will last I don't know. If need be, one could completely drop rudder and sand away some of the plastic bearing where it rubs but I prefer the grease and cleaning, even if I have to do it once a year at haul out.

 

[Brian147]

Re: my squeak solved

Thank you for your reply Captain Gadget. My problem is at the top of the post where the stainless sleeve is bonded. There seems to be a small fracture between sleeve, epoxy and fiberglass post. This creates a cracking type noise, not a squeak. Think I willl drill around the post and inject epoxy. If this does not work, I will drop the rudder. The bottom was painted last Sept. and was hoping to avoid another trip to the yard. $$