E34-2 Rudder Post Grease Fitting

[Phr3d]

I’m wondering why I thought this job would be easier.

Fiberglass, epoxy - whatever it is, is a pretty tough substance to remove.



On the plus side though, it’s a cozy spot, out of the wind, etc.

 

[Christian Williams]

You've probably seen the acres of discussion here regarding that grease fitting. Most of us just leave it, and put in a new one nearby.

 

[Phr3d]

You've probably seen the acres of discussion here regarding that grease fitting. Most of us just leave it, and put in a new one nearby.

I can understand why now.

I was able to persuade it to come out though.

McMaster Carr has these in a pack of 10. I will have enough spares to use as door prizes. Or if anyone local needs one, I’m here for you.

 

[bigd14]

This is on my to do list. But, I discovered I can’t fit into this area on the new 34-2. Actually, I can fit, but I can’t move enough to do any work and the Jaws of Life might be needed for extrication. Has anyone cut access panels into the bulkhead forming the aft end of the quarterberth? Either one large one to fit shoulders through or several smaller ones to access both sides of the rudder post and the port through hull collection. It’s just a sheet of 1/2 plywood but it looks like it’s helping support the aft end of the cockpit sole.

 

[Loren Beach]

If you'd like to visit our "similar" boat and look at both sides of the factory access panel in the aftermost bulkhead, let me know, This is how we get to the quadrant and thru hulls and everything else back there. EY started putting this panel in by hull number 2 or 3. It does have glassed-in supports on the (not visible) rear side for added strength. I am large enough that I do wish they had made the opening an inch wider!

 

[JSM]

Has anyone cut access panels into the bulkhead forming the aft end of the quarterberth? Either one large one to fit shoulders through or several smaller ones to access both sides of the rudder post and the port through hull collection

Having spent way too much time in the 34-2 yoga studio I installed an inspection port in the bulk head.

West System Rudder Bearing Fix

After a few years of a mysterious on again off again rudder clunk I dropped the rudder and found that the lower bronze bearing was worn on the starboard bottom and port top sides. I read everything I could find on the subject and decided to go with the method described in the West System...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[bigd14]

Clever idea JSM! Thank you.

It does have glassed-in supports on the (not visible) rear side for added strength.

This may be the easiest solution to give me a big enough passage. I could either add a layer of 1708 glass to the back of the entire panel and tab it top and bottom or add some strategically placed vertical reinforcements that span the entire panel. I may take you up on the offer to have a look once I get a better understanding of how everything is put together back there. Thank you!

 

[HerbertFriedman]

On my 87 E34, that grease fitting is on the rudder tube near the top facing the transom so access is difficult. I was able to squeeze my self in there a few years ago and did empty almost a full tube of grease but the grease gun fitting kept falling off the zerk fitting so about half of the grease wound up on the outside of the rudder tube rather than inside, a mess to clean up. It is really a two man job, one to hold the grease gun fitting tightly against the zerk fitting and the other to pump the grease gun. The second person is also needed to pull you out of there.

They do make grease guns with a "pistol" handle for one hand pumping but I doubt if there is sufficient pressure to pump the grease into the rudder tube, they also make an electrically powered grease gun but $$. I had the yard do the grease job on my last haulout, Two men, 1/2 hr and a tube of grease, about $150.

I don't know why EY put the zerk fitting facing the transom, if put facing starbord, the job would have been much easier.