Lower Rudder Bearing

[Rowana]

When I had Rowana out of the water a few weeks ago, I discovered a bit of wear in the lower rudder

bearing. The whole rudder can be moved about a sixteenth of an inch or thereabouts. I'm not sure what wear is acceptable, or even how to deal with it.

The attached photos show the bearing in question. it appears to have 2 half-bearings round the shaft, held in place by what appears to be a stainless bracket and 2 bolts, although the aft bolt appears to be behind the skeg.

Anybody familiar with this set-up?
What play is acceptable in the bearings?
What are the bearing halves likely to be made of?

I'm assuming the procedure is to remove the 2 bolts, and the bracket should come off and allow the two half-bearings to be removed.

Any advice gratefully received

 

[pvb]

I don't think I'd worry much about 1mm or 2mm clearance. From memory, the lower bearing on my HR352 had that sort of movement.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Easier on Gladys, as I could access the bearing bolts by turning the rudder both ways. Mine was just a case of bolts coming loose (but they couldn't drop out due to the rudder). Retightened and used blue Loctite to stop it happening again.