Lubing Rudder on a 1999 SN

[todda]

So, after my last post, I have reconsidered on replacing the rudder box with one that would have a zirk...

With that being said, how easy is it to just drop the rudder out, lube it, and put it back in? Also, anyone have any suggestions on what lube to use?

Thanks in advance!

[TallTex]

I have this same year and model. I just did this and posted a reply here, but for some reason lost it as it does not show I replied. Rather lengthy to re-type can you contact me directly and discuss what I learned?

[charlesml3]

It's not that difficult. If you look under the trunk you'll see where the steering cable connects to the tiller arm. The arm then connects to the top of the rudder.

Since you have a SN and it most likely doesn't have ballast tanks this is much easier. There will be safety wire holding two bolts in place. One is the clamp that holds the tiller arm onto the rudder. The other is a center bolt on top of the rudder that serves as a bearing surface for the rudder to rotate back and forth.

Here's the process:

1) Cut all of the safety wire out.
2) Take the center bolt out of the top of the rudder. There will be washers underneath it. Note the order that they come out so you can get them back in the same way.
3) Get someone underneath the boat. If it's on a lift, they can sit in a tube or something to catch the rudder.
4) Once they're ready, loosen the clamp bolt on the tiller arm. Most likely the rudder will slide right out now. If not, your helper can pull it out.
5) Clean all of the old grease off the rudder.
6) Shove paper towels or something through the rudder stuffing box to clean that old grease out too.
7) From under the boat, put a good amount of new grease just inside the lip of the stuffing box. You want that to spread out as the rudder goes back in.
8) Cover the rudder shaft with plenty of grease.
9) Have your helper push the rudder back through and hold it. It's going to shove a lot of grease out the top. You want some grease here but probably not all of it. Wipe off the excess.
10) Replace the tiller arm and tighten the clamp.
11) Replace the center bolt and tighten.
12) Install new safety wire. You can use most any solid wire for this. I just stripped the insulation off some solid-core copper wire I had laying around.

On a 1999 this may not solve your problem. If the steering is still stiff after you're done, then the cable must be replaced. It's a goner.

-Charles

[s_kelley2000]

Good write up Charles! The only thing I will add is that if you are doing this on a trailer you may need to remove the prop-guard from the trailer in order to have a enough clearance to drop the rudder down. We had to do that on our 91 Sport that was on a CC trailer.

[DanielC]

I would suggest getting some Stainless safety wire. Copper electrical wire is pretty soft.
I use Quicksilver (Mercury) 2-4-C marine grease. you can get it in a 10 OZ tube, and the tube will last you a long time.

[jbach]

i would suggest replacing your steering cable if you're steering is tight. lubing the rudder shaft is probably not going to accomplish what you're looking to.

[slob02]

i would suggest replacing your steering cable if you're steering is tight. lubing the rudder shaft is probably not going to accomplish what you're looking to.

Have you taken the steering cable loose to see if the ruder is the problem. It is probably not.

[charlesml3]

> you may need to remove the prop-guard from the trailer in order to have a enough clearance to drop the rudder down.

Good point! I sold my trailer years ago so I forgot about that part.

> Have you taken the steering cable loose to see if the ruder is the problem.

Another excellent point. While you have the tiller arm disconnected from the rudder, turn the steering wheel and see if it's still stiff. If it is then the cable is bad and must be replaced. Might as well go ahead and regrease the rudder since you're there anyway but the cable is a goner. On a 1999 that cable is already pretty old. Most likely bad.

-Charles

[todda]

Thanks everyone for the input! I had already ruled out the cable. Unfortunately, I couldn't remove the prop guard on the trailer (it is a welded prop guard on the DHM trailers), so I have to block and jack the transom a few inches to get the back of the boat up in order to have enough clearance for the rudder to be dropped down. It was the old grease on the rudder itself. Lubed it up and turns really smooth now while under load in the water. Thanks again for everyone's advice!

[s_kelley2000]

Awesome glad to hear it worked!