Rudder 'bearings'

[Mrstarskydean]

The bearing at the foot of my (Maxi 84) rudder appears to have some play. I can feel it when under way and rattle the bearing by holding on to the rudder now we are up on the hard.
I'm confident of replacing the parts myself, but where to source the new bearings/bearing? How much should I pay? Any other tips for the ignorant?

Head

Foot

 

[pvb]

They'll be custom-made parts. Any decent machine shop will be able to copy them for you.

 

[Paulg25]

Could the foot end be 'shimmed' with a short piece of thin walled plastic tube. My mower has some on the steering parts.

Bit like this.

Steering Column Bearing Bush Plastic Husqvarna Poulan Craftsman Jonsered 3366R | eBay

 

[Mrstarskydean]

Ok thanks. It never ceases to amaze me that if I had a 40 year old car, there would be a manual and a parts list, but boats are full of often non-standard parts and the manufacturer has no idea what they are!

So I guess the best bet is to take it off & then start looking. If I have to get it made, what material?

 

[DinghyMan]

What you need is bushes in UHMWPE PET, Acetal, or Delrin - dont let anyone talk you into using nylon as it swells when it takes up water.

We make custom rudder bushes, as you say there are rarely any drawing for them.

Top one looks a simple bush, bottom looks like an upside down top hat bush - if you get stuck give me a shout and we can make some for you.

 

[Dipper]

Some years ago I bought a micro lathe and now can make my own bearings, bow rollers etc. I haven't a clue what I'm doing but they turn out OK and it's quite satisfying. I'd also recommend UHMWPE which is what they use in artificial hip joints. Direct Plastics have everything you need.

 

[[70521]]

Ok thanks. It never ceases to amaze me that if I had a 40 year old car, there would be a manual and a parts list, but boats are full of often non-standard parts and the manufacturer has no idea what they are!

So I guess the best bet is to take it off & then start looking. If I have to get it made, what material?

All about numbers of items manufactured. A run of 100 boats against 10,000 cars.

 

[BabaYaga]

Unclear if this guy is still active (price list from 2015), but might be worth a try:
Maxispecialisten
He lists the items though, as 'tiller bushings'.

 

[jamie N]

How about trying to make one yourself out of 'Polymorph'. I've made loads of stuff with it; it's easy to use and works. I've used it on my rudder, but not as a bearing. I can't see why it wouldn't work though.

 

[vyv_cox]

I bushed my worn gooseneck with a short length of plastic water pipe after reaming out the aluminium casting. The diameter was too large for the hole so I slit the pipe to fit. I expected this to last a season and carry lots of spare pipe but it is still in place after five years. Should work perfectly well with those rudder fittings.