I bought a blister pack of fittings (various angles) from the local hardware store. The pack is still on board so I cannot verify it, but they should be 1/4"-28. The hardware store zerks are likely plated steel but I'm in fresh water and the zerk should stay dry so rust is not a major issue for me. If I get ambitious, I might swap my zerks out for stainless but probably not.what size zerk fitting does this take?
I don't think I had a top Zerk on my 32-3. I used to ladle grease on where the post is visible in the top bearing, and it seemed to me it worked its way down into the bushing. You can see the post turn as you wiggle the wheel, and the grease likely finds its way.
View attachment 44095
I had a similar issue on my 1984 E35 III. A little heat from a hair dryer was enough to loosen up the old grease and allow the new grease to flow in.Glad you did revive it, I had a zerk question myself and was glad it pulled up Christian‘s post on adding one to the glassed post housing. I’m not getting grease into my zerks and I think they’re either seized or ??? Gonna give it another shot with some tri flow and a punch to see if I can knock the balls loose but if not it’ll be replacement.
I have a zerk fitting on the bronze bushing bolted to the cockpit sole. No zerks on the tube itself.It does seem like the zerk would be further down
The idea seems to be that the grease packs the void between the tube and the rudder post, and helps seal the gland on top, in addition to lubricating the bronze bushing on which the rudder post turns.
The Ericson zerk always appears to be placed somewhere low, or even near the middle, of the rudder tube. Nobody has reported a grease fitting installed into the bronze bushing itself, which tends to be buried in the layup.
Got it.Yes, that appears to be standard on the top bushing, although I don't think my 32-3 had one (or maybe it was just inaccessible).
I mean the lower bronze bushing.
I have this same fitting above deck. However, mine also has a zerk fitting about halfway down the tube down in the tiny space under the cockpit. It's all fiberglassed in, so not easy to change out. I should have replaced it during my last haulout, but ran out of time. It is frozen closed, so no hope of using it, either. I looked, but cannot find a picture. I'll take one next time I go out.I have a zerk fitting on the bronze bushing bolted to the cockpit sole. No zerks on the tube itself.
I should take a closer look, just out of curiosity. I've been back there and inspected the rudder tube and didn't see it, but perhaps there is one. Doubt I'd bother using it, though.I have this same fitting above deck. However, mine also has a zerk fitting about halfway down the tube down in the tiny space under the cockpit. It's all fiberglassed in, so not easy to change out. I should have replaced it during my last haulout, but ran out of time. It is frozen closed, so no hope of using it, either. I looked, but cannot find a picture. I'll take one next time I go out.