Stiff steering on SO 37

[gre2]

At launch this spring, over a short period of time, the wheel steering seemed to develop more friction and in fact I think I damaged the motor on our Autohelm 4000. Is there a grease nipple or grease cup on the rudder post or how else to I lubricate the bearings?

[ianqv]

I don't know if the actual rudder is able to be lubricated - perhaps someone else can confirm this? (I'm guessing no.... but hoping for a yes!! )

However.... I had the rest of the system apart last year to cure a sqeak / creak from the steering.

If you take the top of the binnacle off you can see the chain, I used motorbike spray grease on it. Just spray on to the chain whilst moving the steering lock to lock.
Then, go in to the aft berths and take down the wooden panels so you can gain access to the rest of the linkage.
Once again I used motorbike chain spray grease. But on the plastic quadrant pins I just dropped in some 3 in 1 oil.

Still having a slight squeak I then removed my steering wheel and lubed the plastic bearings behing it.

You'll get change out of 1 hour start to finish (you may need a puller to remove the wheel).

Hope this helps

Ian

[gre2]

Thanks Ian, greased the top of the rudder post and also greased the upper end of the steering chain under the binnacle. Have not yet pulled the wheel off but still friction and cannot figure out why. Frustrating. Anyone else have some suggestions?

[MalcolmP]

Jun 12, 2012 9:40:16 GMT gre2 said:

Thanks Ian, greased the top of the rudder post and also greased the upper end of the steering chain under the binnacle. Have not yet pulled the wheel off but still friction and cannot figure out why. Frustrating. Anyone else have some suggestions?

Will take some time, but suggest you disconnect the cables entirely, then try the emergency tiller to test if the stiffness is from the rudder bearings. The emergency tiller is very short, so will not give much leverage, but you should be able to tell if the rudder is moving smoothly or not. Whilst the cables are disconnected you can also test each sheave pulley to ensure they are all working OK and take time to grease them (don't use WD40 as it just washes the grease out)

If you also take the compass out (take care not to break the compass light wire in the process) you should then also be able to inspect the chain sprocket and confirm that the wheel itself is free to rotate smoothly

M

[gre2]

Thanks "M" for the reply. Are you able to tell me whether there are bearings on both the top and the bottom of the rudder post. Also I was not able to find a grease cup or grease nipple so assume there is no way to grease the bearing unless I pull the rudder out completely.

[MalcolmP]

Jun 15, 2012 18:56:21 GMT gre2 said:

Thanks "M" for the reply. Are you able to tell me whether there are bearings on both the top and the bottom of the rudder post. Also I was not able to find a grease cup or grease nipple so assume there is no way to grease the bearing unless I pull the rudder out completely.

My knowledge on this is based on an SO34.2 but I suspect that is very similar to the SO37.

Before looking at the rudder bearings I would thoroughly check that the problem is not with the wire and pulley system. How stiff is it? If the wire was very slack it is even possible it has jumped a sheave

I am sure there will not be grease nipples and if you need to grease the bearing you should be able to drop the rudder a short distance (best out of the water) - remember the whole rudder is held by the upper clamp , but will also be retained by the quadrant. There will be upper and lower plain bearings

Look at the drawings here:

www.jeanneauparts.com/images/SO370/SU37000044a.gif

(You can download all parts drawings at :
www.jeanneauparts.com/en/index.php
but they are very slow to download even with a fast connection and it looks like Max Marine are not taking orders)

Here is the key to the drawing:

No. SU37000044a Price ex VAT
1 INOX DECK FILLER € 42,90
2 EMERGENCY TILLER € 215,09
3a ST.ST. WHEEL D900
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 1 -> 303 € 311,09
3b BARRE A ROUE D 900 IN.N.G.STDG
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 304 -> 736 € 316,80
3c STEERING WHEEL D 900 COV.GOIOT
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 737 -> € 418,50
4 SAFRAN SO37 GTE
2Q1 QUILLARD € 2.427,61
5 DROSSE / GOUVERNE SO37
2Q1 QUILLARD € 85,30
6a ENS.COLON. SO37
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 1 -> 303 € 1.691,87
6b ENS.COLON. SO37 2001
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 304 -> 825 € 1.556,51
6c ENS.COLON. SO37 M.C IN.
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 826 -> € 1.282,04
7a PLEXI FOR CONSOLE SO421
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 1 -> 75 € 63,26
7b CONSOLE
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 1 -> 75 € 500,51
7c CONSOLE PR INSTR 6C SO37/43D
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 76 -> € 169,21
8a LEVIER LAT.SIMPLE VOIL/CLOISON
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 1 -> 275 € 25,69
8b SIMPLE LAT LEVER/SAILBOAT
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 276 -> € 21,64
9a GOIOT QUADRANT
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 1 -> 794 € 291,15
9b GOIOT QUADRANT
2Q1 QUILLARD
Hull No: 795 -> € 291,15
11 RUDDER STOCK ST.ST. STOP
2Q1 QUILLARD € 95,88
12 ELASTOMER RING D115/75X10
2Q1 QUILLARD € 62,18
13 DELRIN RING D50
2Q1 QUILLARD € 93,28
14 O RING 3,53 X 49,21
2Q1 QUILLARD € 8,23
15 BUTEE SECTEUR SO400
2Q1 QUILLARD € 14,04
16 ADJUSTING RING
2Q1 QUILLARD € 19,81
17 RUDDER STOP
2Q1 QUILLARD € 12,12
18 STAINL.STEEL SHEER CONNEC
2Q1 QUILLARD € 19,81

Hope this helps

[gre2]

Thanks M at webcrew, I appreciate your help and will see what I can accomplish.