Bristol 32 rudder pivots

[Bones51]

Any information about repairing lower rudder pivot on my Bristol 32 would be appreciated. how to remove the rudder and how to re-bush the pivots. thanks

[seabreeze_97]

Bristol29.com should prove helpful.

[okawbow]

If your problem is a worn bushing in the rudder shoe; you may be able to fix it without removing the rudder. I repaired the rudder shoe bushing on my Bristol 24, 4 years ago and the pin is still tight, and the rudder moves smoothly.

If there is play between the rudder pin and the bushing; the gap can be filled by casting with Devcon metal filled epoxy while the rudder is supported so the pin is centered. I first cleaned the bushing with spray brake cleaner. I then sanded the inside of the bushing with coarse sandpaper, by sliding sandpaper around the pin with the grit toward the bushing, then turning the rudder back and forth. The bronze should be sanded until rough and shiney. The mixed epoxy is poured into the bushing until full. The epoxy is allowed to set until firm, but not completely hard. It will stick better to the rough bronze, so when the rudder is turned, the smooth steel pin will break free of the epoxy. The poured in place bushing should then be allowed to harden for a day or two before use.

[Bones51]

Thank you for the reply and yours is a good idea. Bones

[jb1528]

I just had a survey done and the rudder shoe is loose. Does the epoxy fix address the vertical wear. The rudder on the boat I'm looking at is resting on the shoe and should be raised a bit. I also noticed a hole in the bottom of the shoe. Does that need to be plugged when the epoxy is put in the shoe?

Jim

[jb1528]

I mispoke on my previous post. The rudder shoe isn't loose. It is the ruddershaft within the show that is loose. The shoe is worn. I may have it repaired by the yard when other work is done. Can anyone tell me how it is attached? Screws, pins, through bolted?

Has anyone taken one off?

Thanks
Jim

[Lonestarlove]

What compond would you use to bond the lower bearing to the hull. I have a 44' Stamas sailboat and had to remove the rudder for repairs.

[jb1528]

The yard I discussed thr repair with didn't tell me how that is done. they did tell me the shoe would come off, a bushing machined in their shop would be made and installed. This yard does mostly wooden vessels and I figured they would have the most experience with this. They turned out to be the least expensive even with their high priced railway haulout. I was told the turnaround would be hours, not days. We'll see. The bushing could be just a tight fit. With that rudder post resting on there, I doubt it's going anywhere.

Jim