Tool for removing rudder post

[albinalaska]

i’m looking for some assistance on tools or techniques for removing a couple of bronze rudder ports on our vessel.

other than just a vague sense that after 40+ years they should be serviced and rather significant oxidation id like to clean; they functioned on our 750 NM trip home fine.

i’ve already dropped the rudders and removed the base mounts for the posts from the lazarette as well as some other hardware on the steering ram for cleaning and restoration, but there remains some sort of base i’m not familiar with and some style of rudder post housing i can’t quite verify yet either.

does anyone know what style of rudder posts these are? they have zerg fittings but extensive googling hasn’t come up with a satisfying resolution for branding and subsequent service manuals.

if my assumption that they can be pulled out is correct is there any type of tool that i may need or tactics to employ for getting it out? or things to be careful about or watch for?

appreciate any info, insight, or ideas! grateful for this community of knowledgers!

kyle

 

[Comodave]

Have you tried loosening the 4 bolts at the corners? They may be lag screws or bolts.

 

[RobertLeatch]

I recently had my rudders overhauled and the fitting looks quite similar to yours. I didn't do the work (way beyond my conpetency level) but did watch how they did it.

As I recall, the top fitting (that would tighten on the gland packing) just unbolted (two bolts). The rudders had been dropped which allowed this fitting to be removed over the top of the rudder post. At this point, you could see that the plate (with the 4 screws on top) was itself screwed into a threaded fitting. Basically 1 of two parts (top and bottom) that hold the bearing in. We didn't do it, but my understanding was that if we wanted to remove that fitting then (having removed the 4 screws) the whole plate could be unscrewed. The bottom piece should then fall down (allowing the bearing to be ultimately replaced). In my case, the bearing was good so we didn't replace it.

The mechanic took away the original top packing plate and modified it to now be a dripless seal. Not quite sure how he did it but he seemed to think it was pretty easy and quite a common modification. So far working very well and much better than the original dripping style. Sorry I didn't take more pictures but for me the main work being done was around the actual rudder support structure and the seals was secondary.

 

[Brooksie]

Repack them just like a propeller shaft stuffing box. Use bronze fasteners when you reinstall your SS may be subject to crevice corrosion in this location.

 

[OldDan1943]

I have been told, the dripless system ( of which I had installed) does not hold up as well as the old fashion flax packing system.

 

[albinalaska]

Have you tried loosening the 4 bolts at the corners? They may be lag screws or bolts.

I have not yet tried to loosen the four bolts on the sides of the bottom piece of that plate. I was hesitant as I don't know how they are affixed inside that block. I imagine I'll have to try that the next time I'm at the boat. As I've not been able to find any literature on anything that looks like this specific model online; I've had to be very cautious on how I proceed.

 

[tiz]

Just a wild guess but maybe those corner bolts thread into a plate on the outside of the hull. Possibly recessed in the hull. Try undoing one and see what type and length it is.

 

[RobertLeatch]

Pretty sure those 4 corner bolts just secure the fitting which is itself screwed into a bottom piece. Once you remove those 4 bolts the top fitting can be unscrewed.