Replacing rudder bearings

[jim]

Anyone have any experience of replacing the rudder bearings in a Sun Odyssey 439 (or similar '9' suffix SO) ? I have about 4mm of play at the rudder stock where it exits the boat (both side to side and fore and aft) and the received wisdom is that the bearings are worn. The boat is only 3 years old but has done nearly 7000 miles but still seems early to me. I am struggling to find out who makes the bearings, whether there are better options available than fitting the same type and whether it is something the average diy person can tackle. I have seen the very helpful thread from Ian QV regarding replacing bearings on his SO37 but not sure if they are the same type of bearings as used in the current range. Any info or comments much appreciated.

[sleighride]

I had to replace my rudder bearings on DS 43 about 18 months ago. I had a serious squeak. and grease on chain and steering cable would not solve problem. I also found one half of a broken plastic ring beneath the rudder post inside hull after I removed the life raft locker to gain access to rudder post. The local Jeanneau dealer in Anacortes, Washington, ordered new bearings and a detailed drawing from Jeanneau. It took a haul out and five strong yard workers too remove and reinstall. No way I could hVe done job myself. The rudder and its shaft are beasts. My boat had over 27,000 miles on it and was twelve seasons old.

[jim]

Thanks for the reply - 27000 miles and 12 years is probably fair enough; bit more than 3 seasons and about 7k. Hopefully the yard will be able to drop my rudder at the end of the coming week and it will be interesting to see what I find; I find it hard to believe it is just normal wear and tear.

[touchngo]

You can order the bearings from Jeanneau though an agent. They will only ship to the agent not direct to you. I would recommend Trafford Yachts (http://www.traffordyachts.co.uk/). We have used them for other items from Jeanneau over the years and have always enjoyed excellent service. We did our bearings last year and ordered through Clarke & Carter as per IanQV's recommendation. That was not a good experience.

One note, use lots of vaseline to lubricate them when fitting them. Ian's thread appeared to recommend dry fitting or even epoxying them, which is not a good idea. One busted car jack later and almost lifting the boat off its props made me realize following that tip was going to end in tears (it was hard enough getting the old ones out!).

Cheers, PT

[jim]

For those considering dropping the rudder on the latest generation of Sun Odyssey, it was surprisingly easy - on the 439 at least. Just 4 bolts to release the steering quadrant from the stock and two split pins to be removed before the pin that holds the rudder in place can be removed. It was not as heavy as I feared (the stock is made of carbon) and could be easily removed by two people. The bearings themselves were also easily removed as not cemented in or secured in any way except by the design of the rudder stock/housing itself. The top one just lifts off and the bottom one just needs to be squeezed (it is split like a spring) and fiddled a bit to get it out.

The top one is made of delrin or similar and the lower one is metallic (bronze maybe) with a red coating and on top of that a grey one; maybe some sort of cathodic protection as it moves against a stainless steel sleeve on the rudder stock.
There did not seem to be much in the way of wear (microns rather than millimeters) but without new and old side by side it is hard to tell. There did not seem to be any other wear and tear in the housing. It will be interesting to see if the new bearings (on order) will make any difference to the rudder tip wobble.

[MalcolmP]

Nov 18, 2016 20:59:55 GMT jim said:

For those considering dropping the rudder on the latest generation of Sun Odyssey, it was surprisingly easy - on the 439 at least. Just 4 bolts to release the steering quadrant from the stock and two split pins to be removed before the pin that holds the rudder in place can be removed. It was not as heavy as I feared (the stock is made of carbon) and could be easily removed by two people. 

Jim. That sounds reassuring. I have a 2008 39i and need to drop the rudder in the spring as I am replacing my prop shaft due mainly wear. The 39i has Lewmar steering I think of a similar design to the current models. I presume you also loosed the steering cables before loosing the quadrant?  From the images below the main bolt support on my boat just has a nylock not split pins, I think...

[jim]

Hi Malcolm. looks quite similar although the bearings are the older (better?) design with rubberised sleeve between shaft and delrin bearing ring - although harder to get out. The plate with the 4 bolts holding the steering quadrant could be taken off without touching the cables on my boat but maybe not on yours, inside this there was another bolt acting as a key. I guess the jubilee clip is for wiring to an anode which I dont have as carbon stock. Are you replacing the whole shaft tunnel due to wear? I am concerned that might be the source of my rudder movement as not seeing any significant wear on the bearings themselves.

[MalcolmP]

Nov 19, 2016 10:54:36 GMT jim said:

Hi Malcolm. looks quite similar although the bearings are the older (better?) design with rubberised sleeve between shaft and delrin bearing ring - although harder to get out. The plate with the 4 bolts holding the steering quadrant could be taken off without touching the cables on my boat but maybe not on yours, inside this there was another bolt acting as a key. I guess the jubilee clip is for wiring to an anode which I dont have as carbon stock. Are you replacing the whole shaft tunnel due to wear? I am concerned that might be the source of my rudder movement as not seeing any significant wear on the bearings themselves.

Hi Jim

Thanks for that, I thought I may have to loosen the cables just to make it easier, but may see if it slips out as you suggestas the tension is currently perfect. I am also fortunate that even after 8 seasons I can feel NO movement at all in the rudder bearings. The only reason I am dropping it is that the prop shaft is slightly worn both at the cutless bearing mating surface and also at the Volvo seal. I am also taking the opportunity to add a sigmadrive www.sigmadrive.info/ The current engine install is generally fairly smooth but I get cockpit table vibration at some revs and having the engine on fleximounts the sigma drive will avoid exact shaft alignment need if the bearers wear more and be a better set up.  The jubilee clip doesn't have any obvious wires - but maybe they are on the hidden side, I had thought the clip might have just been to approx locate the quadrant before the 4 Allen bolts are tightened.

[sitara]

The Sigma drive looks very interesting Malcolm. Let us know how the installation goes and how well it performs. It would be interesting to get some quantitative data on vibrations levels before and after. Don't know how you would do that though.

[gus]

Nov 18, 2016 20:59:55 GMT jim said:

For those considering dropping the rudder on the latest generation of Sun Odyssey, it was surprisingly easy - on the 439 at least. Just 4 bolts to release the steering quadrant from the stock and two split pins to be removed before the pin that holds the rudder in place can be removed. It was not as heavy as I feared (the stock is made of carbon) and could be easily removed by two people. The bearings themselves were also easily removed as not cemented in or secured in any way except by the design of the rudder stock/housing itself. The top one just lifts off and the bottom one just needs to be squeezed (it is split like a spring) and fiddled a bit to get it out.

The top one is made of delrin or similar and the lower one is metallic (bronze maybe) with a red coating and on top of that a grey one; maybe some sort of cathodic protection as it moves against a stainless steel sleeve on the rudder stock.
There did not seem to be much in the way of wear (microns rather than millimeters) but without new and old side by side it is hard to tell. There did not seem to be any other wear and tear in the housing. It will be interesting to see if the new bearings (on order) will make any difference to the rudder tip wobble.

[gus]

Nov 18, 2016 20:59:55 GMT jim said:

For those considering dropping the rudder on the latest generation of Sun Odyssey, it was surprisingly easy - on the 439 at least. Just 4 bolts to release the steering quadrant from the stock and two split pins to be removed before the pin that holds the rudder in place can be removed. It was not as heavy as I feared (the stock is made of carbon) and could be easily removed by two people. The bearings themselves were also easily removed as not cemented in or secured in any way except by the design of the rudder stock/housing itself. The top one just lifts off and the bottom one just needs to be squeezed (it is split like a spring) and fiddled a bit to get it out.

The top one is made of delrin or similar and the lower one is metallic (bronze maybe) with a red coating and on top of that a grey one; maybe some sort of cathodic protection as it moves against a stainless steel sleeve on the rudder stock.
There did not seem to be much in the way of wear (microns rather than millimeters) but without new and old side by side it is hard to tell. There did not seem to be any other wear and tear in the housing. It will be interesting to see if the new bearings (on order) will make any difference to the rudder tip wobble.


Hi Jim. Thanks for the info. We're just about to do the same thing with our 439 and we're in the process of sourcing the replacement bearings. Just wondering if you had any dramas with the rudder clearance as you lowered it down? Did you need to dig a pit or were you able to just drop it straight out while you were on the hardstand?

Cheers, Gus

[vsergio]

Nov 8, 2016 17:16:08 GMT jim said:

Anyone have any experience of replacing the rudder bearings in a Sun Odyssey 439 (or similar '9' suffix SO) ? I have about 4mm of play at the rudder stock where it exits the boat (both side to side and fore and aft) and the received wisdom is that the bearings are worn. The boat is only 3 years old but has done nearly 7000 miles but still seems early to me. I am struggling to find out who makes the bearings, whether there are better options available than fitting the same type and whether it is something the average diy person can tackle. I have seen the very helpful thread from Ian QV regarding replacing bearings on his SO37 but not sure if they are the same type of bearings as used in the current range. Any info or comments much appreciated.

Replacing the bearings is quite easy. I did replace them last Fall. First, I ordered the parts from the UK, Clark & Carter. After receiving them I took some advice and sold them on ebay. Instead I contacted direct Jefa in Denmark and for a bit more money I got superior bearings. After installing them I realized that I did take the right decision. Stock is not always the best way to go. 

[docobdo]

I know this is an old thread, but am contemplating replacing bearings soon on my SO 439 due to a little play evident at haul out.  Just wondering if jim saw any improvement after replacing his bearings, as he was worried that it might be an issue with the rudder tube instead?  Thanks.