Repacking rudder post on a 2002 AIR

[Flathead Bill]

I have a 2002 AIR and will be re-packing the rudder post before putting the boat in for the season. I replaced the steering cable last fall which was a challenge as the ballast tanks on the 2002 AIR sit above the rudder post. Barely enough room to reach down and get to the cable end nut/bolt. It appears that you have to remove the gas tank to get the ballast tanks out of the way to have any real access to the rudder post. So, if anyone has experience with this - any advice would be great.

Also, I had one shop mention using 2 o rings at the bottom of the rudder shaft.My rudder shaft currently rocks slightly in the post if you push/pull the rudder blade forward and aft. Any comments on using o rings at the base of the rudder shaft? Never heard of this previously.

[2000superdare]

The gas tank can stay in it just needs to be slid forward so that one ballast tank can either be removed or pushed out of the way enough to reach. I greased my rudder last season and the vertical gas tank supports were removed I slid the tank as far forward as possible removed on ballast tank followed by the floor section and had enough room. I decided to get rid of my hard tanks for that reason those things are a pain.

[Flathead Bill]

Thanks for the advice on sliding the gas tank forward. I guess the good news is we can spend a day on the water to burn the 25 gal of gas that has been in the tank over winter so we can move the tank!