Added rudder plate and new stuffing.

[Super_sport]

I added a gel coat guard/rudder plate to my 95 Super Sport. While I was down there I also replaced the Rudder Packing (3/16") teflon type and polished the prop and rudder to make it look nice.
Here is a link to my album photos on this project. Hope it helps someone.

Pictures

[horkn]

nice step by step pics!

I'll have to drop my rudder to replace my strut bushing this spring, so the packing pics are good reference. Unfortunately I need to go further than that by taking the drive shaft out and do that packing too.

[TRBenj]

Tom, you dont really think you need to pull the shaft to replace the packing, do you?

[SquamInboards]

Has to drop shaft to replace strut bushing is what I think he means.

[obd666]

nice pictorial ... each step by step maintenance item that we document on here with pics makes it so much easier in the future

[Super_sport]

Thank guys. I pulled the rudder out to add the plate, but the rudder would have fallen out anyway (which it did) when I loosened the top nut and pinch bolt.. Oops... learn from my mistakes. But it was nice to be able to pull the nut off completely, pull packing and polish it up a bit anyway. Now I hope it went together correctly and hold water! I will have to take a peek as soon as the rear end hits water! But plan to order extra packing if you do this, they said 12" of 3/16" should have done it.. but it needed more than that, so I am glad I ordered extra... I had only a little left over from 24".!

[wake_fun]

Looks good!

[AirTool]

is that packing nut really only hand tight?

like as tight as you can get it by hand?

will you come back in a few months and check it?

[horkn]

Tom, you dont really think you need to pull the shaft to replace the packing, do you?

No, I know you don't need to do that to replace the packing, but you do to change the strut bushing. My packing for the DS is fine, but since I have to change the strut bushing I might as well upgrade to the gore tex packing.

I re read what I wrote on my earlier post again, and it's correct.

[Super_sport]

I did read somewhere to tighten the packing nut on the rudder shaft as tight as you can by hand first... then take a wrench and add about 1/4 -1/2 turn additional. Then when you put in the water the first time, before it leaves the trailer I suggest, to check the seal. If it leaks some, then retighten with wrench another 1/4 turn as needed. But you do not want to overtighten. Some else who has done this before can chime in any time.

[wakeboardjoe]

Hi All,

Could not open the pics.. =( Have a 94 that I need help with. Any way you could send me a link? wakeboardjoe@gmail.com

Thanks!!!!

[Super_sport]

Sorry, the link was broken. Just click on the link in my signature. It will work.

[Super_sport]

Here is the new link.. sorry... I made some changes to the photobucket site and that broke the link.

Rudder Packing install

[wakeboardjoe]

Thanks!!

[Erik03]

Great pics & step by step. Thanks!