Newbie steering rudder question....Help?

[gordy]

Hello... I am new to this site but have owned two Mastercrafts in the past couple of years.My first was brand new and was never used enough to run into any issues.I recently purchased an 86 S&S powerslot and proceeded to restore it, I was underneath her yesterday and noticed the steering rudder had what I thought was a fair amount of play (in the shaft going up through the bottom of the boat when holding the rudder and moving it front to back or side to side).Is this normal or is there a jam nut above for adjusting this or should there be no play at all......any help would be greatly appreciated. :confused:

[SKI*MC]

I was by my friends house today. He has a 77 Craft and i noticed that the steering was fairly loose on it, mine has no play at all, i have never had the problem of play in the steering. I have an 83 S&S.

[gordy]

Thanks, Im not sure if I was clear when I said what type of play. Holding the steering wheel and turning it left and right there is no play at all but when underneath the boat both hands on the rudder wiggling it around in all directions there is some jingle.....appreciate the reply.

[SKI*MC]

I just checked mine, it has less that a 16th of an inch of play or less. How much is yours?

[gordy]

Mine is probably an 8th of an inch and if you shake it it makes a definite clunking noise.

[SKI*MC]

Lift up the back pannel behind the engine compartment, and have someone shake the rudder while you look at it, because the steering cable will/should be right under there. From there you can tighten anything that needs to be tightened.

[gordy]

Thanks, I will try that tommorow...appreciate you checking yours for me that helps a lot, Ill let you know what I come up with

Thanks again

[SKI*MC]

PM me with the results.

[jimmer2880]

If I remember correctly - there are also o-rings in the rudder box. If you have that much play - your o-rings may be toasted & need replaced.

[ski_king]

Mine had about an 1/8 in. of play also and I was considering what I had to do to fix it or replace it. Our good friends at Discount Inboard Marine suggested that I check the grease before replacing. After giving the grease fitting back there a few shots of grease, it has tightened up and seems fine.
Try grease first.

[smsunman1]

during the week my boat sits in the lift during the week but on the weekend days its on the whips. The first few hours in the water it leaks a little more then as the packing absorbs more water the rudder tightens up.

[gordy]

Boats in the driveway and its raining buckets out, will have to try all the tips tommorow. I really appreciate all of the info you guys have given me, I will post the fix when I get there

Peace

[gordy]

Hey guys, pulled the panels and checked everything out....looked clean and well maintained so I made sure the cap nut was tight and took Powerslots advice and shot in a couple pumps of grease (much better!) awesome advice....

Thanks again (MC,Sunman, and Jimmer also)