Rudder bearing replacement

[Rol1964]

I’ve never had the pleasure of tackling this type of job before so how much of a PITA would it be to do this on a Pearson 34 ? Thx

[Rol1964]

Actually I'm looking a possible purchase of this boat and there is some play in the rudder so that's the question: is this a big job (i.e.: # hours typically required?) or relatively straightforward? Again I have no experience with this task so I don't know what I don't know... Thx.

[coopec43]

I installed my own rudder bearing but I couldn't buy one off the shelf so I had to import a suitable blank from the US. It wasn't the exact internal diameter so I had to hand sand internally until the shaft just fitted in. (This was done with the knowledge of the US supplier and the local expert)

I then fiber-glassed around the bearing then fiber-glassed it into the hull.


Mine looked like this but it was not a cutless bearing.



Have you seen this thread?

Rudder Bearings:Pearson 34-II
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f55/rudder-bearings-pearson-34-ii-52692.html

[coopec43]

rudder bearings 1990 pearson 34-2

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/th...n-34-2.113579/

There's quite a few YouTube videos

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Rol1964

I’ve never had the pleasure of tackling this type of job before so how much of a PITA would it be to do this on a Pearson 34 ? Thx

Rol,
It depends where the problem is: 1.) shaft housing, 2.) shaft bearing, 3.) steering quadrant issues affecting performance. It's an easy drop once the cable is off the quadrant. My advice: check quadrant first for integrity and tightness of cables and secondly, drop the rudder for inspection. While it's down check the shaft seal where the shaft enters the rudder. Good luck.
Rognvald

[Rol1964]

Originally Posted by rognvald

Rol,
It depends where the problem is: 1.) shaft housing, 2.) shaft bearing, 3.) steering quadrant issues affecting performance. It's an easy drop once the cable is off the quadrant. My advice: check quadrant first for integrity and tightness of cables and secondly, drop the rudder for inspection. While it's down check the shaft seal where the shaft enters the rudder. Good luck.
Rognvald

Took another look yesterday. The shaft looks tight but there's excess play where the pivot pin sits in the shoe. Looks like there should be a bushing but is absent. The hole is still round so I don't think it's wear...looks more like a missing bushing. But I agree the rudder should be dropped and the whole affair reassessed. Found a guy on YouTube who did a huge restoration on one of these boats. Lots of good info but I can't see if there's supposed to be a bushing....

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Rol1964

Took another look yesterday. The shaft looks tight but there's excess play where the pivot pin sits in the shoe. Looks like there should be a bushing but is absent. The hole is still round so I don't think it's wear...looks more like a missing bushing. But I agree the rudder should be dropped and the whole affair reassessed. Found a guy on YouTube who did a huge restoration on one of these boats. Lots of good info but I can't see if there's supposed to be a bushing....

Send some pix, Rol if you drop the rudder. Good luck!
Rognvald

[Rol1964]

Originally Posted by rognvald

Send some pix, Rol if you drop the rudder. Good luck!
Rognvald

Not my boat…yet…LoL
But yes, will definitely record with pics if sale actually happens.