Lubricating the rudder box, '97 Ski Nautique

[Falcon1986]

My '97 Ski Nautique (400 hours) came out of its winter sleep steering hard. It looks like I'd be wise to lubricate the rudder box assembly before changing the steering cable? Can anyone guide me through it? I have taken the back panels apart and it appears I'd have to remove the gas tank to get at the rudder shaft. True? Thanks.

[DanielC]

You can leave the gas tank in the boat. There are two bolts, holding the rudder in the boat. One bolt, has a large washer on it, and sits on top of the rudder shaft, and on top of the steering arm. the steering arm has a clamp, that squeezes the rudder shaft. The two bolts are wired together, so they cannot unscrew.

Remove the safety wire, and the two bolts, the rudder will probably fall out of the boat's rudder port.

I suggest you pressure wash the aft end of the bilge before you start. get rid of some of the 13 years of gunk that is back there.

If you are feeling really ambitious, make where the outside of the aluminum tube the steering cable telescopes in and out of is. That it apart, and clean all the old grease out of the aluminum tube, and off the end of the cable.

Regrease everything with this.

Put everything back together. You may have to re-index the steering wheel. Remove the large nut in the center of the steering wheel, and put the steering wheel back on where you want it. Put the nut back.

[eseybold]

I have my gas tank out right now and rudder off and repacking the stuffing box on the rudder. It took me about 15 minutes to remove everyhting. It is very easy to remove the gas tank - make sure it is not full - very heavy - very light when empty. Four hoses and two wires and the tank comes right out and you get full access to everything. I change my cable last year as well as helm base. Not hard to do. I am not a mechanic.

[Falcon1986]

Thanks forthe replies.

Thanks for the replies - I'm not a mechanic either but with your help I'm well on my way. All I need now is some better weather here in Montana.

[jedgell]

Falcon, where are you? I'm in Missoula, getting real sick of this weather. I did make it skiing last weekend in Helena, it's my latest start of the season ever. Hoping the weather improves by Sunday to make it back to the lake.