I have a loose rudder. The guy that works on my boat is having trouble finding how to get to it. He wants to know if there is supposed to be a lower (probably plastic) lower bearing around the rudder post.
Loose Rudder
- Thread starter dragonflyboat
- Start date
Rudder bearing
Hi
You might want to let responders know what model it is as the bearing layout can be different although normally accessed from the quadrant at the top - you will probably need to drop the rudder to do any work on the bearings.
The bottom bearing will normally come out from underneath the stern after dropping the rudder.
Regards
Hi
You might want to let responders know what model it is as the bearing layout can be different although normally accessed from the quadrant at the top - you will probably need to drop the rudder to do any work on the bearings.
The bottom bearing will normally come out from underneath the stern after dropping the rudder.
Regards
Re: Rudder bearing
I have a 28.5 1988 Hunter. Thank you for your input - I will pass it along to gentleman working on my boat.
I have a 28.5 1988 Hunter. Thank you for your input - I will pass it along to gentleman working on my boat.
Dragonfly, I have the exact same vessel/year.
After winter haul out last fall I removed the rudder for rebuilding, water intrusion in foam core. I have about 1/2" of play, measured at the bottom of the rudder, which is somewhat acceptable. While I had it out I figured now was the best time to tighten it up with a new lower bushing but, I could not figure out how the bottom bushing comes out. It almost looks like they installed the bushing then glassed over the bushing leaving an opening for the rudder stock. I left mine in for another season (or two
). While you have the rudder out make sure you add extra screws to the lower half of the upper bushing, the factory only use 2 and many have found them loose or broken like I did.
PS: get a large metal flat washer and bounce the edge around on your rudder to look for hollow areas. Mine had a few small areas that turned into a full rebuild with 16lb expandable foam and epoxy/mat layup.
After winter haul out last fall I removed the rudder for rebuilding, water intrusion in foam core. I have about 1/2" of play, measured at the bottom of the rudder, which is somewhat acceptable. While I had it out I figured now was the best time to tighten it up with a new lower bushing but, I could not figure out how the bottom bushing comes out. It almost looks like they installed the bushing then glassed over the bushing leaving an opening for the rudder stock. I left mine in for another season (or two
). While you have the rudder out make sure you add extra screws to the lower half of the upper bushing, the factory only use 2 and many have found them loose or broken like I did.PS: get a large metal flat washer and bounce the edge around on your rudder to look for hollow areas. Mine had a few small areas that turned into a full rebuild with 16lb expandable foam and epoxy/mat layup.
Tried to send this before;
There are three Nylon Bearings in the rudder assembly (inside the hull)
#1 Top bearing Nylon length 2"
#2 Lower Bearing, Nylon, Length 2 7/8"
#3 Bottom Spacer bearing Nylon, Length 5/8"
Top and lower bearing held in place by 3M 5200 sealant
Lower Bearing is also held in place by a layer of fibreglass at the bottom to stop it falling out.
The Spacer bearing fits directly under the lower bearing Fibreglassed area and is sealed in with 3M 5200 This is designed to prevent the Rudder from hitting the lower surface of the hull.
Problems: Due to wear and tear the lower Spacer bearing tears itself free of the sealant and drop ......plus it also now can rotate with the rudder. The worst danger is that Zebra muscles can lodge above the spacer and get crushed...thats what happened to mine. The Crushed shell then can get into the Lower bearing and start to carve bits out of it,,then you discover the rudder is loose.
To remove the upper bearing you need to grind a large hole (3 1/4") in the upper boats shell as the upper bearing is sealed in the lower boat shell and that will allow you to remove that.
If you are lucky and do not have any wear with the lower bearing I suggest you lower the rudder enough to get access to the whole spacer bearing surface. . clean the fibreglass lower surface that holds the spacer with a 3M adhesive cleaner then make sure the two radial grooves in the spacer are thoroughly cleaned and wiped with cleaner . This is important to give extra grip when the 3M5200 is applied to the grooves and the spacer pushed back into the recess. It must then be held in place with firm pressure for 5 FIVE days @ a temperature of above 50 F..then the assembly can be put back. I do have photo's of the complete disassembly of all three bearings in my case.
There are three Nylon Bearings in the rudder assembly (inside the hull)
#1 Top bearing Nylon length 2"
#2 Lower Bearing, Nylon, Length 2 7/8"
#3 Bottom Spacer bearing Nylon, Length 5/8"
Top and lower bearing held in place by 3M 5200 sealant
Lower Bearing is also held in place by a layer of fibreglass at the bottom to stop it falling out.
The Spacer bearing fits directly under the lower bearing Fibreglassed area and is sealed in with 3M 5200 This is designed to prevent the Rudder from hitting the lower surface of the hull.
Problems: Due to wear and tear the lower Spacer bearing tears itself free of the sealant and drop ......plus it also now can rotate with the rudder. The worst danger is that Zebra muscles can lodge above the spacer and get crushed...thats what happened to mine. The Crushed shell then can get into the Lower bearing and start to carve bits out of it,,then you discover the rudder is loose.
To remove the upper bearing you need to grind a large hole (3 1/4") in the upper boats shell as the upper bearing is sealed in the lower boat shell and that will allow you to remove that.
If you are lucky and do not have any wear with the lower bearing I suggest you lower the rudder enough to get access to the whole spacer bearing surface. . clean the fibreglass lower surface that holds the spacer with a 3M adhesive cleaner then make sure the two radial grooves in the spacer are thoroughly cleaned and wiped with cleaner . This is important to give extra grip when the 3M5200 is applied to the grooves and the spacer pushed back into the recess. It must then be held in place with firm pressure for 5 FIVE days @ a temperature of above 50 F..then the assembly can be put back. I do have photo's of the complete disassembly of all three bearings in my case.
Nautikal, I would greatly appreciate a look at the photos mentioned. Please forward to wrenchbender3150@gmailDOTcom.
Thanks, Dan
THANK YOU. Jim, the guy working on my boat, asked if I would request the photo. You can send it to my email: peggyhart.hart@gmail.com
Thanks again,
Dragonflyboat
Thanks again,
Dragonflyboat
H31 1987, Rudder
Hi, I am a newby here, I just bought a 1987 H31 that needs a lot of love. The survey told me that that my rudder has some delamination and that the bushing needs to be changed. I just removed my rudder but I would like to see your pictures if it is possible, to compare with my H31.
Thankyou
sylvain.turcotte@videotron.ca
There are three Nylon Bearings in the rudder assembly (inside the hull)
#1 Top bearing Nylon length 2"
#2 Lower Bearing, Nylon, Length 2 7/8"
#3 Bottom Spacer bearing Nylon, Length 5/8"
Top and lower bearing held in place by 3M 5200 sealant
Lower Bearing is also held in place by a layer of fibreglass at the bottom to stop it falling out.
The Spacer bearing fits directly under the lower bearing Fibreglassed area and is sealed in with 3M 5200 This is designed to prevent the Rudder from hitting the lower surface of the hull.
Problems: Due to wear and tear the lower Spacer bearing tears itself free of the sealant and drop ......plus it also now can rotate with the rudder. The worst danger is that Zebra muscles can lodge above the spacer and get crushed...thats what happened to mine. The Crushed shell then can get into the Lower bearing and start to carve bits out of it,,then you discover the rudder is loose.
To remove the upper bearing you need to grind a large hole (3 1/4") in the upper boats shell as the upper bearing is sealed in the lower boat shell and that will allow you to remove that.
If you are lucky and do not have any wear with the lower bearing I suggest you lower the rudder enough to get access to the whole spacer bearing surface. . clean the fibreglass lower surface that holds the spacer with a 3M adhesive cleaner then make sure the two radial grooves in the spacer are thoroughly cleaned and wiped with cleaner . This is important to give extra grip when the 3M5200 is applied to the grooves and the spacer pushed back into the recess. It must then be held in place with firm pressure for 5 FIVE days @ a temperature of above 50 F..then the assembly can be put back. I do have photo's of the complete disassembly of all three bearings in my case.[/QUOTE]
Hi, I am a newby here, I just bought a 1987 H31 that needs a lot of love. The survey told me that that my rudder has some delamination and that the bushing needs to be changed. I just removed my rudder but I would like to see your pictures if it is possible, to compare with my H31.
Thankyou
sylvain.turcotte@videotron.ca
There are three Nylon Bearings in the rudder assembly (inside the hull)
#1 Top bearing Nylon length 2"
#2 Lower Bearing, Nylon, Length 2 7/8"
#3 Bottom Spacer bearing Nylon, Length 5/8"
Top and lower bearing held in place by 3M 5200 sealant
Lower Bearing is also held in place by a layer of fibreglass at the bottom to stop it falling out.
The Spacer bearing fits directly under the lower bearing Fibreglassed area and is sealed in with 3M 5200 This is designed to prevent the Rudder from hitting the lower surface of the hull.
Problems: Due to wear and tear the lower Spacer bearing tears itself free of the sealant and drop ......plus it also now can rotate with the rudder. The worst danger is that Zebra muscles can lodge above the spacer and get crushed...thats what happened to mine. The Crushed shell then can get into the Lower bearing and start to carve bits out of it,,then you discover the rudder is loose.
To remove the upper bearing you need to grind a large hole (3 1/4") in the upper boats shell as the upper bearing is sealed in the lower boat shell and that will allow you to remove that.
If you are lucky and do not have any wear with the lower bearing I suggest you lower the rudder enough to get access to the whole spacer bearing surface. . clean the fibreglass lower surface that holds the spacer with a 3M adhesive cleaner then make sure the two radial grooves in the spacer are thoroughly cleaned and wiped with cleaner . This is important to give extra grip when the 3M5200 is applied to the grooves and the spacer pushed back into the recess. It must then be held in place with firm pressure for 5 FIVE days @ a temperature of above 50 F..then the assembly can be put back. I do have photo's of the complete disassembly of all three bearings in my case.[/QUOTE]