Rudder bearings/bushes

[Killick69]

I have been looking back on old posts and it seems the rudder post is supported in 2 place. The bottom point seems to be a pedestal that the bottom of the shaft sits. The upper support it seems is a bush around the shaft at the top of the tube. I have observed the following on my boat:
1.No sign of any bush at the top of the tube, maybe worn and later disintegrated. There is a little sideways play and considerable play in the forward direction i.e. can pull the shaft towards the bow.
2. Can pull the rod up by about 1 inch by pulling upwards on the tiller.

I will check it out when we slip the boat and hopefully if there should be a sleeve/bush at the top will be able to buy one.

What has been your experience with the rudder shaft and bearings/bushes?

[Phillip]

Evening,

Your no 2 is normal.

Like you I have to replace the top bearing and the bottom one which makes a lot of noise under hard sailing.

The bottom one is insde the rudder and may be a problem.

Has anyone done the bottom bush?

Phillip
Leaving Airlie Beach tomorrow.

[Shaun]

G'day John,
Good luck for the AF.
Sounds like your getting well prepared which will be a tremendous help in the whole process.
From memory I saw what I thought was a lower bush(round, white-ish in colour) at the bottom of the rudder stock, sitting on the metal support. This bearing looked 100% fine 2 yrs ago, im sure it will be ok now, & I dont recall any noise or unusual movement under hard sailing, so hopefully all is ok there.
The top bush if its still there, is clearly worn & due(or overdue) for replacement, this can be done "in water" as far as i know, anyone know about replacing the upper bush & where you can get 'em?
If that can be done in water, probably best to concentrate on the AF & any glassing work you want to do rather than this & do this later.
cheers
shaun

[Killick69]

Hi Shaun,
Good news if the lower rudder bush is OK. The upper bush is nowhere to be seen (disintegrated). It can be replaced in water. It will involve removing the tiller block and then the bush should push/get hammered in. I will try to measure the shaft and the tube when I am next on the boat, then I can try to locate a suitable bush, maybe PTFE or graphite filled polypropylene or similar. I just don't know what holds the bush in position, possible the tube is stepped and the bush gets pushed in up to the step, or maybe the bush should have a collar to keep it from "falling" down the tube. The top of the tube is cut at an angle (the top of the tube is parallel to the deck,whilst the tube is set at a steep angle).

We are pretty well prepared for the antifoul etc. Will see how it goes and how much gets done.

Cheers, John