Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[John Read via CnC-List]

Had same issue on my 34.  Could see the doughnut nut and shaft top wobble
about.  Could also move bottom of rudder side to side easily.  Also had
issue of rain and water leaking past doughnut nut and suspected caused by
nut and delrin washer not sitting square onto plate.  Have regularly greased
shaft - have tube and grease fitting.  Steers like butter. Very smooth.
Fixed wobble when on the hard by supporting rudder, removing plate secured
to cockpit floor, found hole for shaft was worn and was larger diameter than
threads of shaft.  Had machine shop replace bronze bearing of correct size.
The bronze bearing wears over time as interfaces with stainless threads of
shaft.  Reinstall.  Wobble gone and water leakage is now minimal.  Biggest
issue is crawling under floor to get to nuts holding plate,  2 man job as do
not want to rotate bolts so as to not disturb butyl sealer so 1 below
working the nuts and 1 topside keeping bolts from moving

 

John Read

Legacy III

1982 C 34

Noank, CT

 

From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List
Cc: Korbey Hunt
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble

 

My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with
engine at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or
easy bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe
1/8" when testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has
anyone else experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of
replacement?  Should I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over
the years.

Korbey, SV Oz

 

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Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[Jeffrey A. Laman via CnC-List]

Drilled a hole in the center of the cap, pushed the Zerk through hole, and put 
a washer and nut on inside of cap.

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From: Korbey Hunt 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 5:11:53 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Jeffrey A. Laman 
Subject: Re: Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

Thanks.  I have never greased it (5 yrs)  and I doubt the prior owner did.  
Sounds like a good place to start.  How did you install the zerk fitting?

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From: Jeffrey A. Laman via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 12:15:10 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Jeffrey A. Laman 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

Had same thoughts. Grease is easy place to start and he has never greased, so 
way past time. If that doesn't resolve wobble, then inspect rudder for 
irregularities, cutless bearing and shaft, propeller, etc. He'll have to haul 
boat for all that. Could look at shaft, coupler, and seal from inside boat. 
Maybe watch from down below while someone drives at 3000 rpm?
Jeff Laman

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From: Matthew via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 4:03:18 PM
To: 'Stus-List' 
Cc: Matthew 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble


I didn’t know the 34 came with a tiller option.  My 1978 34 had a wheel, as 
does every other 34 I’ve ever seen (about a half dozen or so).  Interesting.



Given that the wobble corresponds to RPMs, I would not guess it’s a tiller or 
rudder grease issue.  I’m no expert, but it sounds more like a prop shaft strut 
or cutless bearing issue.  Did you by chance have a dock line sucked into your 
prop before the vibration started?



Matt Wolford



From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble



My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with engine 
at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or easy 
bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe 1/8" when 
testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has anyone else 
experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of replacement?  Should 
I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over the years.

Korbey, SV Oz



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Android

Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[Korbey Hunt via CnC-List]

Thanks.  I have never greased it (5 yrs)  and I doubt the prior owner did.  
Sounds like a good place to start.  How did you install the zerk fitting?

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From: Jeffrey A. Laman via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 12:15:10 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Jeffrey A. Laman 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

Had same thoughts. Grease is easy place to start and he has never greased, so 
way past time. If that doesn't resolve wobble, then inspect rudder for 
irregularities, cutless bearing and shaft, propeller, etc. He'll have to haul 
boat for all that. Could look at shaft, coupler, and seal from inside boat. 
Maybe watch from down below while someone drives at 3000 rpm?
Jeff Laman

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From: Matthew via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 4:03:18 PM
To: 'Stus-List' 
Cc: Matthew 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble


I didn’t know the 34 came with a tiller option.  My 1978 34 had a wheel, as 
does every other 34 I’ve ever seen (about a half dozen or so).  Interesting.



Given that the wobble corresponds to RPMs, I would not guess it’s a tiller or 
rudder grease issue.  I’m no expert, but it sounds more like a prop shaft strut 
or cutless bearing issue.  Did you by chance have a dock line sucked into your 
prop before the vibration started?



Matt Wolford



From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble



My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with engine 
at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or easy 
bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe 1/8" when 
testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has anyone else 
experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of replacement?  Should 
I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over the years.

Korbey, SV Oz



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Android

Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[Jeffrey A. Laman via CnC-List]

Had same thoughts. Grease is easy place to start and he has never greased, so 
way past time. If that doesn't resolve wobble, then inspect rudder for 
irregularities, cutless bearing and shaft, propeller, etc. He'll have to haul 
boat for all that. Could look at shaft, coupler, and seal from inside boat. 
Maybe watch from down below while someone drives at 3000 rpm?
Jeff Laman

Get Outlook for Android

From: Matthew via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 4:03:18 PM
To: 'Stus-List' 
Cc: Matthew 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble


I didn’t know the 34 came with a tiller option.  My 1978 34 had a wheel, as 
does every other 34 I’ve ever seen (about a half dozen or so).  Interesting.



Given that the wobble corresponds to RPMs, I would not guess it’s a tiller or 
rudder grease issue.  I’m no expert, but it sounds more like a prop shaft strut 
or cutless bearing issue.  Did you by chance have a dock line sucked into your 
prop before the vibration started?



Matt Wolford



From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble



My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with engine 
at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or easy 
bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe 1/8" when 
testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has anyone else 
experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of replacement?  Should 
I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over the years.

Korbey, SV Oz



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Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[nausetbeach--- via CnC-List]

I had a similar wobble with a small gap between the lower roller bearing on
the rudder post and the boat “tube” built into the hull.  Noticed it when on
the hard for the winter I could rock the rudder by hand and see the bearing
move back and forth.   I found a large O ring of the correct diameter
[believe on McMaster Carr] to just fit around the bearing with a thickness
about ½ of the slack space, dropped the rudder slightly and rolled the O
ring onto the bearing near the top.  Reinstalled the rudder.  Took a bit to
work the rudder back in, but the O ring did fill the space and eliminated
the slack.  Did this ~ 15 years ago and it still is tight.  I think the idea
came from this list – way back when.

 

This may or may not work for your situation.  

 

Brian

 

From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List  
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble

 

My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with
engine at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or
easy bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe
1/8" when testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has
anyone else experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of
replacement?  Should I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over
the years.

Korbey, SV Oz

 

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Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[Jeffrey A. Laman via CnC-List]

Crawl back to where you see the rudder shaft. Sorry I don't have a photo. 
Others will I am sure.  Where steel rudder shaft is enclosed in the fiberglass 
hull, or shaft tube, you should find a grease cap on the forward side. Looks a 
little bigger than a soda bottle cap and is metal. Remove the cap, fill with 
grease, and tighten all the way down. Repeat. Tightening the cap forces the 
grease out of the cap and into the tube. The first time I greased the rudder 
tube I filled the cap 40 times (I am certain the shaft hadn't been greased for 
decades). That's when I realized a Zerk fitting, 6ft hose, and grease gun was 
needed. Now I screw hose into gun, give it ten or so pumps, and done.

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From: Korbey Hunt 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 3:45:53 PM
To: Jeffrey A. Laman ; Stus-List 
Subject: Re: Tiller wobble

Thanks.  I have never added grease.  Not sure where to put it.

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Android

From: Jeffrey A. Laman 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 11:28:11 AM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Re: Tiller wobble

Korbey,
Try filling the rudder shaft tube full of waterproof grease.  Most recommend 
"Green Grease" but I have been using "Corrosion Block Waterproof Grease" (it's 
blue...).  My 81 C has a grease cup, but I and others have added a grease 
fitting to the cup to pump the tube full.  I just did mine yesterday -- rudder 
started to move a little more than usual under sail on Thursday in 2 to 3 ft 
seas.  Grease always puts a stop to it.  Friday sail in similar conditions with 
no rudder movement.  I fill the tube about twice a summer. Have never 
experienced the wobble while motoring, but then I don't ever go as high as 3000 
rpms.
Jeff Laman
81 C Harmony
Ludington, MI

From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble

My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with engine 
at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or easy 
bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe 1/8" when 
testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has anyone else 
experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of replacement?  Should 
I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over the years.
Korbey, SV Oz

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Android

Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[Matthew via CnC-List]

I didn't know the 34 came with a tiller option.  My 1978 34 had a wheel, as
does every other 34 I've ever seen (about a half dozen or so).  Interesting.

 

Given that the wobble corresponds to RPMs, I would not guess it's a tiller
or rudder grease issue.  I'm no expert, but it sounds more like a prop shaft
strut or cutless bearing issue.  Did you by chance have a dock line sucked
into your prop before the vibration started?

 

Matt Wolford 

 

From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List  
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble

 

My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with
engine at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or
easy bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe
1/8" when testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has
anyone else experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of
replacement?  Should I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over
the years.

Korbey, SV Oz

 

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Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[Korbey Hunt via CnC-List]

Thanks.  I have never added grease.  Not sure where to put it.

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From: Jeffrey A. Laman 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 11:28:11 AM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Re: Tiller wobble

Korbey,
Try filling the rudder shaft tube full of waterproof grease.  Most recommend 
"Green Grease" but I have been using "Corrosion Block Waterproof Grease" (it's 
blue...).  My 81 C has a grease cup, but I and others have added a grease 
fitting to the cup to pump the tube full.  I just did mine yesterday -- rudder 
started to move a little more than usual under sail on Thursday in 2 to 3 ft 
seas.  Grease always puts a stop to it.  Friday sail in similar conditions with 
no rudder movement.  I fill the tube about twice a summer. Have never 
experienced the wobble while motoring, but then I don't ever go as high as 3000 
rpms.
Jeff Laman
81 C Harmony
Ludington, MI

From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble

My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with engine 
at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or easy 
bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe 1/8" when 
testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has anyone else 
experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of replacement?  Should 
I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over the years.
Korbey, SV Oz

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Android

Stus-List Re: Tiller wobble

[Jeffrey A. Laman via CnC-List]

Korbey,
Try filling the rudder shaft tube full of waterproof grease.  Most recommend 
"Green Grease" but I have been using "Corrosion Block Waterproof Grease" (it's 
blue...).  My 81 C has a grease cup, but I and others have added a grease 
fitting to the cup to pump the tube full.  I just did mine yesterday -- rudder 
started to move a little more than usual under sail on Thursday in 2 to 3 ft 
seas.  Grease always puts a stop to it.  Friday sail in similar conditions with 
no rudder movement.  I fill the tube about twice a summer. Have never 
experienced the wobble while motoring, but then I don't ever go as high as 3000 
rpms.
Jeff Laman
81 C Harmony
Ludington, MI

From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Tiller wobble

My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with engine 
at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or easy 
bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe 1/8" when 
testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has anyone else 
experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of replacement?  Should 
I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over the years.
Korbey, SV Oz

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Android

Stus-List Tiller wobble

[Korbey Hunt via CnC-List]

My 1980 34 C has a tiller that wobbles excessively when running with engine 
at 3,000 rpm.  A cursory inspection does not show any adjustment or easy 
bearing replacement.  All bolts are tight. There is some slack, maybe 1/8" when 
testing the tiller by moving back and forth at the dock. Has anyone else 
experienced this?  Is there a known easy solution short of replacement?  Should 
I be concerned.  This seems to have gotten worse over the years.
Korbey, SV Oz

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