H26 Tiller

[George H260]

The aluminum tiller has become loose due to the bolt-holes becoming larger. There is no nylon sleeve going through the holes thus making the holes larger with use. Question: was there a nylon sleeve (1996 H26) in the tiller? I purchased the H26 used.

 

[Rick Webb]

They Will All do That

I took my tiller to a machine shop that plugged it and redrilled the hole. I then put a longer bolt on so that the threads do not eat away at the tiller.

 

[John]

I also had the same...

I bought a couple of stainless steel washers and drilled three holes thru each. You may have to go to a machine shop if you don't have a good vice. I then glued each washer with JB weld expoxy to each side. Waited two days for it to dry and then screwed the washers in . Worked great.

 

[Pat Hooyman]

Permanent Fix

I had the same problem which I fixed several years ago successfully. The problem is the steel bolt will eat away the soft aluminium. This can be solved by putting a stainless sleeve bearing into the tiller. First get a stainless sleeve(pipe or tube) which fits the tiller bolt and allows the bolt to freely rotate but not rattle loosely. Cut this sleeve to a length equal to the diameter of the tiller.Next drive a wood plug(a closet hanger pole works good) into the tiller as far as it will go(about a foot) and saw off the end clean. Put a couple of screws through the tiller into the plug to keep it from ever moving.Next drill a hole through the wood where the old worn holes are - this hole should be the size of the metal sleeve - and insert the sleeve into the hole. Put the tiller back in the rudder and reinsert the bolt. I did this three years ago and it has stayed tight as new.

 

[Paul H]

George, I had the same problem. Bought the plastic side pieces from Hunter and installed them last fall. It seemed to work but of course it was the end of the season. The real test will be this spring. Pat's idea sounds great!!. That should stop the hole enlarging completely.Paul HS/V Linda Belle 1995 H26