Jeanneau Rudder

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Sailfree

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Mine has developed a squeak.

On inspection it appears the rudder stock is held up by a SS circular collar with screws and locknuts ( I assume fitting into a groove in stock).

What concerned me is that there only appears to be 2 screws (one on each opposite side) yet the collar is drilled and tapped for 4 screws.

When boat was 1yr old the rudder bearing was changed by Jeanneau but nothing done to my knowledge since then.

Are they only fixed with 2 screws or have I got a screw loose/missing???
 
Had a good look this morning and can't identify a risk of rudder stock coming loose as above the circular clamp (with only 2 bolts!) There is the circular drum with the wires from the helm clamped to the stock.

Just cannot understand why it has started squeaking. Wondering if WD40 would penetrate better and lubricate bearing interface as silicone spay has not OR could WD40 harm the rudder material.

Jeanneau manual say only use WD40 to lubricate steering wires.
 
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Our old Dehler has a similar arrangement with only two large grub screws and locknuts. They are inserted into small holes in the alloy shaft. I can't explain your squeak. Ours has a small cup greaser just below it to lubricate and maybe help to keep water at bay too (though it is above the water line). If you really want to locate the squeak I guess you'll need to crawl into the stern and listen carefully as someone rotates the wheel - maybe use that piece of wood on your ear trick? There's a bearing at the top of course too, above the quadrant?
I wouldn't use WD40 as a lubricant, I think it makes a mess long term; I use a little oil on the cables and marine grease on the ring. The lower and upper bearings I leave dry.
Is the steering getting stiffer?
 
I would guess that underneath that locking ring there is a Delrin or similar washer which transmits the weight of your rudder and this is where the noise is being generated. I suggest you get one of those lever spray bottles (eg garden, kitchen cleaner) add a strong washing up liquid solution & spray generously in that region. If that quietens the noise you've hit the right spot & can then decide how to lubricate or otherwise fix. I overhauled my spade rudder last winter (Sadler 290 tiller steering) & started by installing an M10 eye bolt in the top of the rudder shaft. I installed new rudder bushes and a new Delrin thrust washer which was well greased. In the unlikely event that the thrust washer should need regreasing I would be able, even when afloat , to lift the rudder slightly. BTW if you google "Jefa Denmark" you will discover the world's biggest yacht steering manufacturer which might help you understand the problem.
 
I would also suspect the metal beam holding the rudder weight may have distorted if rusty if your Jeanneau has the emergency tiller opening above the stock and the beam allows water to pool and rust through the beam. Ours collapsed on an overnight passage but had been signalled by squeeking for a week. The beam fragments had the strength of a digestive biscuit.
 
Sailfree said:
Had a good look this morning and can't identify a risk of rudder stock coming loose as above the circular clamp (with only 2 bolts!) There is the circular drum with the wires from the helm clamped to the stock.

Just cannot understand why it has started squeaking. Wondering if WD40 would penetrate better and lubricate bearing interface as silicone spay has not OR could WD40 harm the rudder material.

Jeanneau manual say only use WD40 to lubricate steering wires.
Click to expand...

Wear can result in increased pressure as the bearing is not round anymore, which could give rise to squeeking. You need a high pressure lubricant not WD. WD is a penetrant and water dispersant, what is better is a PTFE grease.

New bearings could also improve things and some types have lubricants with in their matrix. UHMWPE or Delrin a trade name is quite good for rudders (worked for my 40' Bav) but newer more advanced materials can give lower friction and hence less wear. We supply one type Maritex Aquarius so I could be considered biased, but you can research a few different types some plastic some are polyester resin and fibre.

Heat from localised friction is often a problem as UHMWPE has quite a high thermal expansion rate so friction = heat = expansion = a tight bearing
 
RupertW said:
I would also suspect the metal beam holding the rudder weight may have distorted if rusty if your Jeanneau has the emergency tiller opening above the stock and the beam allows water to pool and rust through the beam. Ours collapsed on an overnight passage but had been signalled by squeeking for a week. The beam fragments had the strength of a digestive biscuit.
Click to expand...
There was an article on repairing that in PBO a while back
Stu
 
Neil_Y said:
Wear can result in increased pressure as the bearing is not round anymore, which could give rise to squeeking. You need a high pressure lubricant not WD. WD is a penetrant and water dispersant, what is better is a PTFE grease.

New bearings could also improve things and some types have lubricants with in their matrix. UHMWPE or Delrin a trade name is quite good for rudders (worked for my 40' Bav) but newer more advanced materials can give lower friction and hence less wear. We supply one type Maritex Aquarius so I could be considered biased, but you can research a few different types some plastic some are polyester resin and fibre.

Heat from localised friction is often a problem as UHMWPE has quite a high thermal expansion rate so friction = heat = expansion = a tight bearing
Click to expand...

I used UHMWPE for my Rudder bushes (also recommended by Nigel Calder) . This has very low water absorption, v low coefficient of friction, self lubricating, & is also significantly cheaper than Delrin. My bushes were 50id x 80od x 80 long. However UHMWPE suffers from creep under constant loading so that's why I chose Delrin for my thrust washer. I estimate my Rudder might weigh as much as 100kg but less in water due to upthrust. Direct Plastics was my supplier & their website gives full specs of all materials.
Sailfree's yacht may have nylon roller bearings rather than plain bushes & the thrust washer might be a ball race rather than plain. It's possible that his Rudder assembly was supplied by Jefa , they speak English & I found them most helpful.
 
The other two holes are probably drilled differently to allow for adjustment. My jeanneau steering went tight and squeaking when under load. I found that the bottom bearing was mounted in a rubber collar and that was rotating. I glued the rubber bush in in place, dropped the rudder to clean and grease the shaft. The bottom bearing was in perfect condition but gunk such as salt crystals had made it a little tight. This was a 2003 40ds.
 
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