Lubricating rudder post on 33-1

[kwalters]

I have a '74 C&C33-1. I have read that you should periodically lube the rudder post/bearings. When I look around under the cockpit I see where the rudder post comes up through the hull. There is some sort of gizmo bearing housing like thing glassed in to the hull. I had expected to see a zerk fitting there but no luck. There is one bolt in the side of the thing with maybe a 1/2 inch or 9/16 head on it which looks like the only removable bolt on the housing. The bolt looks way too big to be replaced with at zerk and it is not a grease cup. Is this the place the grease goes in? I was worried that if I unscrewed this the rudder might fall out the bottom of the boat or something. Any advice much appreciated.

Ken

[rheaton]

To me it sounds like you may be describing your stuffing box.

[67c&ccorv]

Can you post a pic?

[kwalters]

I will get a picture over the weekend and post, thanks.
Ken

[Kurt]

I have a 1976 version of the same boat. I haven't done ad adjustment on my steering system in about a year now, but I seem to recall seeing a fitting on the rudder post for greasing purposes - I'm not sure at this point though. Look for a grease gun fitting - I'll look at mine next time I'm on my boat too.

[msmith10]

On my C&C 30 there is a grease cup on the rudder tube under the cockpit floor. It looks just like the grease cup on the A4 waterpump but is about 1-1/4 inches in diameter. I can access it through the starboard lazarette, crawling down under the cockpit. Just unscrew the cup and fill it with grease then replace the cup. A turn periodically keeps the rudder post well-lubed. If it hasn't been removed or turned in a while, you may need to use a small pipe wrench or tongue and groove wrench to remove it. The object you are describing in the cockpit floor is the top rudder post bearing and contains a set screw to lock the top of the rudder post. Do not remove this while the boat is in the water. You shouldn't have to play with it unless you need to remove the rudder.

[rigspelt]

This is ours, on a C&C 27.There is a website around where someone's grease cup broke off. They replaced it with a Zirk fitting, epoxied in. Ours had surface rust but cleaned up well, unscrews easily, and is solid.

[kwalters]

I may have been looking too low. I will start my search directly below the cockpit floor and report back. The PO thought there were Zerk fittings somewhere but was not sure.

[Kurt]

Yep - that's exactly what the fitting looks like on my C&C 33 as well. It's right under the disk dealio that the steering cable runs on.

[67c&ccorv]

Looks like the builders at C&C took the lubricating cup off an old water pump and grafted it right onto the rudder post...who said you can't teach the old dogs new tricks!

[sastanley]

I wish my rudder post had a lubrication point like that. It groans and creaks and pops all the time

[kwalters]

Here is the picture. I looked high and low for any sort of fitting but could find nothing. Is it possible there is no fitting?
Ken

[keelcooler]

No grease for that rudder tube,most of it is above water.What you have is a splash collar,kind a like a stuffing box but not as water tight.Yes there is packing material under the three bolt collar cap fitting. With the cockpit loaded up and the motor in gear take a look and see if water is leaking around the collar. Even if it leaks a little,no need to be in a rush to repack. The splash collar is a substitute for grease in the tube that prevents water splash up. I think the bronze splash collar is better than grease. Most of the rudder tube grease cup and zerk fittings I have seen are ferrous metal and rusted or otherwise nonworking.

[Paul Clarke]

Kwalters:

Is the white evidence of electrolysis? Is it a white powdery substance?