When does a Rudder Bearing Need Replacement?

[geoffschultz]

How does one know when a rubber bearing needs to be replaced? The reason that I ask is because this weekend I was diving on my Freedom 40/40 to check out an issue with the prop shaft and decided to check the rudder. When I pulled on the tip, there was probably 1/2"+ of movement.

As shown by the picture, this is a spade rudder. It's 12 years old and has about 40,000 miles on it...

-- Geoff

 

[Tim R.]

Geoff, a half an inch at the tip is probably fine. My Ericson's rudder has some play and a good marine mechanic friend told me it is fine.

When I replaced the lower gudgeon(bronze bushing) on my Pearson 28, there was 1/2 inch of play at the bushing. After I had it filled and re-machined and replaced the top delrin bushing there was about 1/4 inch at the tip of the rudder.

And if you simply cannot sail this boat in this condition, i would be glad to help you find it a new home.

 

[Guest]

Rudder play

Hi Geoff, on Hunter models the manufacturer recommends replacing the UHMW material bearing when the rudder post has more than 1/8th inch play. Freedom boats may differ. Perhaps there is a Freedom owner here who can weigh in.

Terry Cox

 

[Warren Milberg]

My H28.5 has a similar rudder and configuration. A few years ago, I noticed that there was some binding or friction when I turned the wheel all the way to starboard. I'm not sure what your rudder bearings look like or how they are mounted, but on the H28.5, they consisted to two Derling rings on top of one another. The lower ring, mounted to the inside of the stern around the rudder tube; the upper ring mounted to the rudder post and merely swiveled on the lower ring. When I removed the steering quadrants, it was clear that the lower ring's central hole was no longer circular, but rather sort of oblong and clearly in need of replacement. I had new bearings fabricated at a local plastics shop and installed them. I also had new lower bearing made to fit over the rudder post and up into the rudder tube to support the rudder better. If you have a "significant" amount of movement in your rudder, or steering anomalies, I suggest you check the bearings yourself and see if they need replacement. My boat's steering is now very nice and tight.