Hi Patrick
I had to resort to PB Blaster and a pipe wrench to get mine off, it
chewed the crap out of the chrome plating on the donut but did
eventually come off. A couple of 2x4s and clamps were used to
immobilize the rudder.
Graham Collins
Secret Plans
C&C 35-III #11
On 2016-04-20 12:45 AM, Patrick Davin via CnC-List wrote:
I have my boat hauled out now and am trying to drop the rudder.
The stainless steel donut that holds the rudder up, above the thrust
bearing in the cockpit, is very much stuck. I removed the two set
screws and am attempting to unscrew (counterclockwise), with the
rudder propped up (enough that that delrin bearing under the donut is
free spinning).
This is the donut pictured on Wally's page:
http://www.wbryant.com/StellaBoat/Projects/steering/bearing/sole/bs02.jpg
http://www.wbryant.com/StellaBoat/Projects/steering/bearing/sole/
He got it off with just an oil filter wrench + exhaust hose on past
occasions, and later with that strap wrench. I've already applied far
more force than a strap wrench with no luck. :(
I had planned to have the yard (Seaview) help with this, but
apparently they have plenty of fiberglass guys but not enough
mechanical guys, and are backlogged on anything mechanical. So if I
want this to go faster I can keep trying to do it myself. And saving
money by not having them bang away at it for $105/hour is probably
good anyway. Though honestly I would happily do that now if they could
get it loose.
I know Frank of S/V Cool Change had a bear of a time with the set
screws:
http://cnc-list.com/pipermail/cnc-list_cnc-list.com/2007-March/009523.html
(but I guess the donut wasn't a problem?)
And I know another owner who used a huge pipe wrench with some
padding, and yard assistance, but ended up damaging it and needing to
get a new one.
Things I've tried:
- PB Blaster, every day for 4-5 days, around the top, into the set
screw holes, and around the bottom.
- Loctite Freeze + Release
- oil filter wrench with rubber pieces to grip
- threading a bolt into the set screw holes and hammering on that -
quickly abandoned this because it started to bend the screws and I
realized it would strip the set screw holes.
- C clamps
- Heat gun (I don't have a torch - however I don't think heat will be
very successful because the mated parts are both stainless steel)
- Large hose clamp tightened around my rubber gripper ring and
hammering on the hose clamp screw. I really thought this was the
genius idea that would finally work. Nothing budged, even with heavy
pounding. But the hose clamp does the best job of pressing my rubber
gripper onto the donut and had no slippage.
Is there anything I'm missing? Has anyone else had this hard a time
getting the donut off, or found anything else that worked?
The Edson radial drive bolts are also seized, but I have some more
things to try there still, and as last resort it can be cut off and
order a new one ($500).
If I can get the rudder out I might also consider changing the
stuffing box, because that is also seized (looks original and probably
hasn't been adjusted in 5 years).
-Patrick
1984 C&C Landfall 38
Violet Hour, Seattle, WA
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This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like
what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are
greatly appreciated!
