78 E-27 rudder post jammed

[Brad Graves]

I am unable to free my rudder after a sand bar collision that pushed the rudder up to starboard...it slid down about two inches when the tiller was removed but will not drop free. I have exhausted many efforts at wedging but still no luck. Anyone?

[HughHarv]

If it's not in a bind due to angle of post changing, try straigthening it up first and see if that helps. Lubing the post and lower bearing with dish soap might help. In the end, you might have to persuade the post out from the top with a hammer and 2X4 whittled down to pass through the cockpit sole. Don't know what this will do to your rudder bearing but the soap might help.

[agraziano23]

slightly off topic... what is the proper way of lubing the rudder bearing(s) how to access them.