Dropped the rudder on my 85 28.5 as suspected top bushing was loose from the hull but as shown in the picture it looks like the screws were just screwed in and not countersunk at all. So my question is did the bearings never touch from the factory ?? I have read on 285.com about doing the job I just can not figure out how it ever worked right. Also there is a bearing at the bottom it is glassed into the hull with a spacer / slash bearing on the tube that someone screwed on and as that wore the screw broke some nice holes in the bottom around the tube. Any advice would be great
Rudder bearings how did this ever work???
- Thread starter Cmp1110
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Yes, the top and lower bearing should touch and the screws should have been countersunk. I had new bearings made for my '86 H28.5 a few years ago as the old ones were out of round and really worn out. You may want to consider doing the same as it will really improve steering. Countersink a number (maybe 6) screws into the new bearing. On my boat, I also had a crack where the rudder stock enters the boat, but not as bad as shown in your picture. I never have known of this crack, and its potential to sink the boat, had I not dropped the rudder to replace the bearings. I sealed up the crack with MarineTex. I also also added a new custom bearing at the rudder tude entrance to support the rudder stock more efficently.
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Warren do you have the stock dimensions of what you had made I am interested in the overall thickness of the lower bearing so I can gauge how much wear I have I do not think much since it was riding on the screws and still look new except for the wear on the bottom were it was rubbing on the fiberglass
Sorry, I don't have the dimensions of the bearings as I just brought the old ones to a plastics shop in Annapolis and had them copied. My guess is that you could do the same thing as I doubt anyone stocks these bearings anymore.
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