Replacing rudder bracket Sigma 41

[Gaia-]

Hi, does anyone have tips about replacing the rudder bracket of a sigma 41. We want to lower the rudder. After removing the bolt from the upper bearing nothing happens. So all tips are welcome!

 

[lpdsn]

No info on Sigma 41 but in general it often takes quite a bit of force to lower a rudder. Got mine out with help of a mate, both putting as much weight as we could on it and rotating it back and forth - came down inch by inch. Should add that this was with the infamous Dehler rudder bearings.

I've also seen the boatyard having to use wooden wedges between the top of the rudder and hull, driving them in with the aid of a large hammer (I'm glad I didn't have to go that far).

 

[Quandary]

There is considerable weight there so have a trestle or something not too far below in case it comes with a rush and you want to keep your toes.

 

[Norman_E]

Have you removed or at least slackened the steering quadrant? I do not know the exact setup on the Sigma but on my Jeanneau the hardest part of dropping the rudder was getting the quadrant loosened sufficiently. As others have said, support the rudder from below so that it cannot just drop. I used a pile of wooden blocks which were removed one by one as we lowered the heavy rudder.

 

[Gaia-]

We already removed the steering quadrant. We supported the rudder below and can lower it 20 cm with a car jack. So no suddenly falling down of the rudder. We now think a collar is so tight to the shaft that it is stuck. We figured out a way to loosen the collar. Keep you updated.