kapnkd
kapnkd
After properly (tightly) securing the four upper Rudder Bearing Plate screws by adding a 1/2" aluminum plate to the underside of the cockpit sole of our '73 E-32, we still noticed a wobble in the rudder post itself.
After 48 years the upper bearing plate had worn from side to side creating about 1/8 inch play on each side. We dropped the rudder and found about 1/16" of play in the lower rudder tube bearing sides as well.
Our solution was to first hone both the top and bottom bearing surfaces round again (above) as well as insure the rudder post itself was perfectly round using a pipe polishing/sander (below).
We (I say "we" but it was my son who did ALL of this) Mixed up West System epoxy adding #423 graphite powder per West's recommendations.
Both top and bottom bearing tubes insides were coated and the rudder post reinserted after coating it WELL with a mold release agent (LOTS OF IT!!). Before the graphite filler epoxy cured completely, the rudder was removed...which shook the whole boat getting it free.
After fully curing, the rudder tubes were slightly re-honed to a smoother finish being careful to maintain the new tighter tolerances created by the graphite filler epoxy.
Using our old axiom of "While we are at it" - we also used left over epoxy to fill in and repair areas above and around the rudder and skeg area.
The rudder is now back in place and the fit is PERFECT!! We greased it really well using generous amounts of Lucas "Red & Tacky" lube as a water sealant and friction reducer.
TIME TO BOTTOM PAINT ...AND LAUNCH!!!
After 48 years the upper bearing plate had worn from side to side creating about 1/8 inch play on each side. We dropped the rudder and found about 1/16" of play in the lower rudder tube bearing sides as well.
Our solution was to first hone both the top and bottom bearing surfaces round again (above) as well as insure the rudder post itself was perfectly round using a pipe polishing/sander (below).
We (I say "we" but it was my son who did ALL of this) Mixed up West System epoxy adding #423 graphite powder per West's recommendations.
Both top and bottom bearing tubes insides were coated and the rudder post reinserted after coating it WELL with a mold release agent (LOTS OF IT!!). Before the graphite filler epoxy cured completely, the rudder was removed...which shook the whole boat getting it free.
After fully curing, the rudder tubes were slightly re-honed to a smoother finish being careful to maintain the new tighter tolerances created by the graphite filler epoxy.
Using our old axiom of "While we are at it" - we also used left over epoxy to fill in and repair areas above and around the rudder and skeg area.
The rudder is now back in place and the fit is PERFECT!! We greased it really well using generous amounts of Lucas "Red & Tacky" lube as a water sealant and friction reducer.
TIME TO BOTTOM PAINT ...AND LAUNCH!!!
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