Leaking Rudder log/gland/port etc.

[Rosco]

Having listened to CW on Audible and read on this site the various lamentations on the rudder issue I knew exactly where to look when I was taking my 'new to me' E35 '74 to her new marina which thankfully was a mere 12 nm run. My first plan of attack will be to install a zerk and pump as much grease as I can. The only fear I have is getting close enough. I will need a bendy moment for sure. I am 6' 2" and 220lbs so in the ballpark for size suitability. So I will drill as deep as the zerk thread and then finish with smaller drill bit the same depth as the gland is thick. Test to see that its through to shaft then epoxy the zerk in place. Has anybody had long term success with this fix? My guess is that in my case it will solve the issue as the boat sat for a year so the dried out dusty packing and sleeve is likely thirsty for grease.

 

[Dave G.]

Grease can't hurt but most likely need to repack it too. I am not familiar with your rudder and it looks nothing like mine. Hopefully someone with same boat and or rudder design will give you better info. I think if you search you'll find a couple of blogs here about installing zerks into a rudder tube. This one is a different model but some will apply.

E32-3 - Rudder Gland Repack and Reseal, New Zerk Installed

Symptom: Water in the bilge after returning to slip. Bilge is normally dry. Cause: Rudder packing gland/rudder tube/frozen lower grease fitting. There should not be much water in the bilge of a fiberglass boat. I figure that with a dripless...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[Rosco]

Grease can't hurt but most likely need to repack it too. I am not familiar with your rudder and it looks nothing like mine. Hopefully someone with same boat and or rudder design will give you better info. I think if you search you'll find a couple of blogs here about installing zerks into a rudder tube. This one is a different model but some will apply.

E32-3 - Rudder Gland Repack and Reseal, New Zerk Installed

Symptom: Water in the bilge after returning to slip. Bilge is normally dry. Cause: Rudder packing gland/rudder tube/frozen lower grease fitting. There should not be much water in the bilge of a fiberglass boat. I figure that with a dripless...

ericsonyachts.org

Thanks Dave, I think that you are correct. I have had success with a leaking shaft with Syntef paste. Which is made for a much more robust application on the drive shaft. If that can work with water coming in in the video that will add a seal to existing packing as Christian new packing demonstrated. I happen to have a full tube which I think I will add to the application.

 

[Rosco]

Zerk is in, Pumped alot of grease until it oozed out the top. It was quite trouble free in terms of drilling, securing Zerk, pumping grease. Only issue was pulling gun off the zerk which I then replaced with fresh epoxy which will be replaced with the prescribed 1/2inch threaded Zerk for stronger bite. Christian was correct on the larger zerk. Below is the right proper zerk. Below that is Oscar Zerk.
Thank you Christian and Oscar.