Creaking Steering System

[Paul D.]

Femme's steering is making a fairly noticeable creak when turning the wheel. It seems to be coming from under the pedestal area, not in the steering chain binnacle. This developed late last season. I replaced the steering chain/cable with an original Edson replacement part a number of years ago, just preventatively.

During spring fitting out this year, I crawled under the cockpit and checked out the cables and steering pulleys and lubricated them with McLube. All looked good but I am still getting the creaking, maybe a little more on one tack than the other, but not only when sailing.

I've started to think rudder bushings or as one post says, the rudder packing gland or stuffing box and wondered if anyone has suffered the same issue. Anyone repacked the rudder stuffing box? Any advice?

[bottomscraper]

Edson recommends #30 Oil for chain and cable.

https://store-a3x5y9g98l.mybigcommerce. ... gGuide.pdf

[Paul D.]

I have oiled the system which makes me wonder if it is coming from the actual rudder bearing or stuffing box.

[jbenagh]

Paul,

I repacked the stuffing box when I had everything apart to replace the weldment during rebuilding the sole. It was relatively easy then.

I think you'd need to remove the cables, remove the quadrant and then repacking is pretty easy since you can get the stuffing box off. You might be able do it with all that in place but there's not a lot of room between the top of the box and the quadrant. You also might be able to just release some tension on the cables and move the quadrant up to give you some room.

Jeff