rudder bearing lubrication - what to use?

[PaulR]

the rudder shaft of our dehler has a stainless steel bearing surface which runs in white delrin or what ever the plastic type bearing material is made of - have currently got rudder off and not sure what lubricant is best to use (if any) on the stainless steel/delrin bearing surface when reassembling - have noted bearing has vertical grooves in it (designed that way) which I guess is to allow any water and debris coming down the shaft to drain/wash away (shaft comes up through cockpit floor) so am concerned that use of waterproof grease might lead to grit etc being retained in those grooves and scoring the shaft - am thinking about a thin silicone grease or lubricant instead - what do others suggest/use?

 

[cliff]

Nothing. The bearings/bushes are self / water lubricated.

Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.

 

[charles_reed]

Water

 

[matelot]

give the whole lot a real good clean and then leave them alone. maybe a teflon spray if you really want. as you have already thought, avoid grease which can hold dirt.

 

[rudolph_hart]

One of the largest Dehler 'Owner Clubs' (dehlerclub.nl) recommends olive oil.