Rudder repair

[dasnider]

I've got an 82 MKIII with a noisy rudder - groans when I turn the wheel, esp. when there's more resistance eg. in a stiff breeze. Seems to be coming from the rudder shaft, not the steering gear itself. Questions:

Anyone had a similar problem and managed to fix it?

Any tips on dropping the rudder in the water? (Don't really want to haul her if I can avoid it.)

Thanks,

-Dave

[billangiep]

Dave,
Sounds like it could be some hard growth (barnacles) between the rudder and the hull? Maybe jump over the side and have a look see before you go through the expense of a haul out?
Bill,

[dasnider]

I hauled her yesterday and pulled the rudder: it' snot barnacales, unfortunately! The bottom of the rudder tube - where the bottom bushing goes into the hull - is chewed up somewhat. The top bushing is also quite worn and the top plate is cracked. Anyone know where to get new bushings and/or top plate? There used to be a post on Newport30.org about fabricating replacement bushings, but the forums are no longer there...

Also, is the bottom bushing supposed to rotate in the hull, or is the post suposed to rotate in the bushing?? My bushing is stuck tight on the rudder shaft, but it seems to me that the shaft should be rotating in the bushing (metal on nylon) rather than the bushing rotating in the hull (nlon on fiberglass!)

[USCGRET1990]

My bushing is stuck tight on the rudder shaft, but it seems to me that the shaft should be rotating in the bushing (metal on nylon) rather than the bushing rotating in the hull.

That is correct!