[C320-list] Steering lubrication and rudder post lubrication

[Larry Frank]

Has anyone replaced their wire as recommended.  Did you get the wire from
Edson, Catalina, West??  What about fittings?

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan S. Field
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 7:37 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Steering lubrication and rudder post lubrication

See: http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/PDFs/planning/EB381SteeringGuide.pdf

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Melissa&Larry
Leibman
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 1:57 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Steering lubrication and rudder post lubrication

Adam,
 
Your question about rudder post lubrication is very timely for me and one I
was also hoping for some input on. Since purchasing my 320 last August I
noticed that the steering effort is somewhat greater than I am used to from
my previous boat. I am not entirely sure whether the issue is in the rudder
post/stern tube assembly or in the binnacle/steering quadrant assembly (or
perhaps both). 
 
This weekend I removed the binnacle compass to examine the state of the
chain and to see if perhaps the wheel brake was binding at all. The brake
seemed to be fine and although the chain should probably be cleaned and
relubed, I don't think it is the cause for the steering friction. I'm not
sure about the shaft bearings in the binnacle. Seems kind of hard to tell
without removing them. I also removed the steering cover in the aft cabin,
and again although the turning pulleys probably need some lubrication,
nothing too obvious there.
 
My current thought is that the rudder post could use some lubrication. My
previous boat had a grease nipple in the rudder post tube for lubrication. I
don't see one here. It seems that the full weight of the rudder is supported
by a bearing underneath the cockpit floor. 
 
Is this the case and is there any way to lubricate this bearing? Also at the
top of the rudder tube appears to be a seal to keep water from entering. Is
there any maintenance for this seal?
 
Thanks in advance