Materials used for rudder bearings

[zutalors]

Sorry to pester the group again about a topic that we disucssed last
year. What specific thermoplastic have you guys used to construct the
bottom bearing. Also have you guys seen wear to the carbon fiber
rudder stock? If so how much did you see.

I see a bit of wear on the rudder stock causing the stock to be
slightly smaller at the poiint where the rudder bearing sits. I'll
either have to heat the bearing up to get it to slide down the shaft,
or cut a scarf in it so that it will open up as I slide it down the
shaft.

David
Zut Alors

Warm weather on the East Coast =

bottom striped to gel coat - check
hull waxed - check
misc fiberglass worked on - check
new main sail - check as the wife is happy

[Andrew Oeftering]

Give me till tonight and I'll provide detailed information on how I changed my lower bearing last spring. I have photos and can email them directly

Sent from my iPhone

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[Andrew Oeftering]

David,

Here's the page on McMaster Carr that has the product you're looking for.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#ptfe-filled-delrin-(made-with-acetal-resin)/=fx6k8j

I ordered the 1 foot 3inch diameter rod, part number 8579K52. I pulled the
rudder from the boat and took it to a local machine shop where I had 3
bushings made. I still have more stock to create more future spares if
necessary. The 3 inch OD is a near perfect fit inside the rudder tube. The
ID was determined for the bottom bearing by measuring the rudder stock's
fattest point since you need to push the entire rudder stock up through the
bottom bearing once it's in place.

In the end I replaced only the bottom bearing. If you do both I would do
replace them bottom first, then top. Once the bottom is set in place,
replace the top bearing using the bottom bearing to align the top. In my
case, I cut out the original bottom bearing with a hack saw blade. The
original bottom bearing was seated into epoxy resin. I ground all that out
to allow the new 3 inch diameter bearing to fit snugly against the rudder
tube wall. I cut 4 vertical grooves about 1/16 inch deep into the side of
new bearing to allow my adhesive, 3M 4200, more surface area to grip the
bearing to the rudder tube wall. Allow the 4200 to set for at least a week
before trying to set the rudder in place. Even though the bearings fit
perfectly in the shop, I needed to sand the inside of the bottom bearing to
get the rudder to slide back up the tube and move freely. Initially the fit
was so tight the rudder wouldn't move with significant force, which would
translate to a loss rudder feel. After this season, the rudder is still
rock solid.

[Andrew Oeftering]

I'm not sure if the group allows us to attach photos, but here's a photo of
my completed bearing and the raw Delrin stock

Andy Oeftering
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