Rudder lube

[todda]

So, I was feeling ambitious yesterday, and after lubing my bearing buddies, decided to see if there was a lube fitting (zerk? fitting) on the rudder of our 196 SNOB (1999). I thought I had heard at one time that there is, so I pulled the doghouse, then middle floorboard to get to the rudder housing, but I did not see a fitting back there. Does anyone know if there is one, if so, where the heck is it?

Thanks!
Todd

[NigelC]

This isn't a standard fit on a '99. I added one myself in about 1/2 hr.
They are easy to come by at most good auto supplies stores here in the UK. With the floor removed, carefully drill a hole in the rudder box, tap with an appropriate sized tap and simply screw the nipple / zerk fitting into place.
Had been using Duchams Keenol but this is no longer available. Ramonol white grease is the equivalent that is now available in the UK. Not sure what brand is available in the US.

[todda]

Thanks Nigel, so, I am guessing w/o the fitting, people just open up the rudder box and pack in the lubricant then?

Todd

[NigelC]

Hi Todd, I think that is the only way. Are you doing this as scheduled maintenance work or has your steering gone tight?

[TRBenj]

The rudder shouldnt need any additional lubrication- I dont think adding grease is a good idea. The water lubricated packing should be plenty to keep the rudder moving freely.

I detached my steering cable, and the rudder on my '90 moved freely (very loose) with the original packing. If you have difficulty steering, its likely you need a new cable.

[NigelC]

I had an '87 2001 for 13 years that never needed the rudder box lubricating. Shortly after I upgraded to my current '99 I needed to lubricate the rudder box. The cable was and still is fine. I notice that it has been a standard fit on Ski Nautiques for a few years now.
I guess there must have been a design change in the late 90's.

[SGY]

I think TRBenj makes a good point. But if that's the case, why did my rudder port come standard with a zerk fitting? Weird. As I said in my post on a similar subject, my rudder was a bit tight. So, I took things apart and cleaned it up. Lots of old nasty grease build up in there--which makes me agree with TRBenj. When I put it back with a light film of grease, the rudder freed up.

[NigelC]

SGY, what year is your boat? I think some came with the fitting around 2002/2003. Standard on all around 2004 onwards?
I don't know why some boats tend to suffer more than others. I guess it could come down to a number of factors:
-Hours. Increased wear on the rudder.
-Is the boat kept afloat as opposed to trailered or on a lift.
-My boat does quite a few tight turns at the end of the course with a skier on the back. Maybe there is less stress for open water skiing where the turns may be wider.
-Water temperature?

[NautiqueJeff]

My 2003 210 didn't have the fitting, but my 2007 236 does.

[SGY]

Nigel, I have a 2005 196 with 255 hours. It's used on a private lake in a course about 95% of the time. We don't do many tight turn arounds. Usually set after each pass. (I'm old and get tired.)

I'll drop my boat in the water tomorrow night and report back. I'm curious to see if it leaks. I didn't adjust the packing gland when I re-inserted the rudder shaft. I'm concerned that the two O rings at the bottom of my rudder port are wearing--allowing more water intrusion and contaminating the grease--making it sticky. Does anyone know if the O rings are replaceable or will I have to buy a new rudder port?

[darrel409]

my old boat, 93 SN had a zerk fitting and steering was always better after a shot of grease. My current 95 didnt have one. Cable was good, dropped and cleaned rudder port and added a grease fitting like NigelC described. Steering is always good now. I dont really know why they put them on some years and not others... I wonder if the rudder ports w/o the zerks are the same parts that have them?

Contributing factors..We run in Hot weather (100-115 degree) and warm (70's) shallow water. The 93 spent a lot of time on a tournament lake w/ tight turns.

[SGY]

Art at SECC said they stopped putting the zerks on because of enviromental complaints. When they realized those complaints were bogus, they started installing them again. Neither my 99 or my 2003 had a zerk.

[NigelC]

I believe some of the late TSC1 and early TSC2 boats had the zerk as a dealer / owner fit. Maybe dealer pressure caused CC to factory fit a some point around '04 onwards?
I have seen several different ways of doing this. As Darrel shows in his photo, this is a solid tube through the transom. Others I have seen are a flexy hose in the locker space, solid tube in the locker space and a straight forward zerk direct onto the brass housing.

[dan1166]

Rudder Lube

Correct me if I am wrong; But don't you have to remove the rudder completely to drill and tap the housing? That is one reason I did not do my 1999 Ski. My rudder seal does not leak, and I do not want to open a can of worms. My 1992 had a zerk and I installed a remote zerk in the motor box area.

Dan, the STS man

[todda]

RE: Rudder Lube

Thanks for all the replies guys! As always, you all bring up great points. Actually, I was going to lube the rudder for really no reason, just that I had never done it as to date since I bought ours in 2003. Rudder and steering are great, not tight or sticking at all. Just thought I would head off any problems in the future, but as I am hearing , probably not necessary.

Thanks!!
Todd