[C320-list] Rudder Problem

[Pat Ireland]

Joe

All of the info so far should be helpful, except I'm not so sure that the
shaft should be lubricated.  I thought I read somewhere that it should not
have grease applied and that the water which is in the tube at launch was
sufficient for proper operation.  I have no specific tech on this and may
be incorrect, but I thought the concept was that grease attracted grit,
which caused wear on the rudder tube.  The 320 has no bearing and I did not
see a grease fitting.  It just has a fibreglass tube with a reasonably
close fit.  The bigger boats do have bearings.   Maybe the newer 320s were
upgraded?

First check out all the wheel links.  Verify they are working.  You can
release the quadrant from the shaft to verify that the resistance/vibration
is originating from the rudder shaft and tube assembly.

If you are sure the problem is with the shaft and tube, you might try to
remove the rudder shaft packing gland and wash out the shaft to tube
clearance.  At a minimum that adds the lubrication of the water to reduce
friction.  The alternative is to drop the rudder and inspect.

What we found on 801 was teflon tape wrapped around the rudder shaft.  In
our case, the rudder had become very stiff to turn.  The teflon had torn
and was wedging between the shaft and the tube.  We removed the tape and
polished up the shaft.  Working well now and no one else has reported this
problem, so it sounds like an isolated case.

Good luck on your investigation.

Pat, 801


On Fri, May 10, 2013 at 4:58 AM, jim brown <jbrown5093 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> While you're at it you might take the time to inspect the chain by
> removing the compass. It should be lubricated with oil regularly according
> to Edson. There are great instructions on servicing the entire steering
> mechanism on the Edson website. If you are interested in looking at the
> rudder bearing mechanism there is a piece on replacing the stock bearing
> (which I think is just glass) on the Catalina Direct site.
>
> Jim Brown
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: William Ott <wmo48 at yahoo.com>
> To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 8:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rudder Problem
>
>
> Joe,
> Nothing that anyone suggests will solve your problem until you provide
> more information.  That information will come when you pull the inspection
> cover off.  The steering system on the 320 is one of the simplest setups
> going for wheel steering.  Inside the inspection cover you find  2 idler
> pulleys that direct the steering cable to the quadrant.  Also you will see
> all your pedestal engine wiring and electronic cabling, all of it
> tie-wrapped out of the way of the cables.  If a tie-wrap has broken or the
> hold-down nut has loosen on a idler pulley, misaligning it; it can creat a
> mess.  Pull the inspection cover and investigate.
> Mike Ott
> 'Amanda Lu'
> #508
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On May 8, 2013, at 7:29 PM, Millers <millers1 at aol.com> wrote:
>
> > Joe,  I am away until next week and can better answer your question
> then. When you lean through the aft cabin access door you are looking at
> the rudder post.   I do not remember if the post has a grease fitting, if
> not lift the SS cap and force some grease as best you can into the space
> between the post and support tube.  Rotate the rudder and pack more in. See
> if the problem goes away or diminishes.
> > Grease I use is waterproof and same recommend for cpp. I can provide
> spec next week if needed.
> > Art
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > On May 8, 2013, at 7:09 PM, Joseph R Aberdale <summerwind3 at comcast.net>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Where do you apply the grease? Any particular type of grease?
> >>
> >> Thanks Art.
> >>
> >> On May 8, 2013, at 6:50 PM, Millers <millers1 at aol.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Joe,  with the guidance provided by mike crawl into aft steering and
> inspect while an other person turns the wheel. I suspect a dry rudder
> shaft.   May need to be greased.  Art
> >>>
> >>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>>
> >>> On May 8, 2013, at 6:42 PM, Joseph R Aberdale <summerwind3 at comcast.net>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Mike,
> >>>>
> >>>> The rudder still turns when turning the wheel. Would it be possible
> to still work if there is a slipped steering cable off one of the pulley's?
> >>>>
> >>>> Thank you Mike.
> >>>>
> >>>> On May 8, 2013, at 6:11 PM, William Ott <wmo48 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Joe,
> >>>>> Have you inspected the rudder quadrant cabling and pulled the
> inspection cover from the overhead in the aft cabin?  You could have
> slipped a steering cable off one of the idler pulleys.
> >>>>> Mike Ott
> >>>>> 'Amanda Lu'
> >>>>> #508
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Sent from my iPad
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On May 8, 2013, at 5:53 PM, Joseph R Aberdale <
> summerwind3 at comcast.net> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> My boat is on the hard ready to launch next week. When turning the
> wheeI I found that there is a rumbling noise with considerable vibration in
> the wheel and pedestal holding the electronics. This condition was not
> there at all when hauling the boat out last fall. I appreciate any thoughts
> you might have regarding the cause of this.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Thank you.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Joe Aberdale
> >>>>>> #908
> >>
>