Ski 206 Rudder Issue

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   Hello,
I just disconnected the rudder tiller arm from the steering cable assembly in prep for a new steering cable.  Man, the rudder movement is super tight.  I'm assuming this should be smooth and not super tight.  My last Nautique it was smooth, but not loose feeling.

So is it packing issue, or should I drop my rudder out and clean and apply some grease?  Looks like there was grease squeezed out between the packing nut and tiller arm from years ago.  It is dried up and flaking off now.  

This rudder does not have a grease fitting.

Looking for some feedback before I drop the rudder (joy).

Thanks,

Dave 

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Skidave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: January-22-2019 Location: York, Pennsylva Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skidave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Ski 206 Rudder Issue Posted: March-12-2021 at 11:07am
	Hello, I just disconnected the rudder tiller arm from the steering cable assembly in prep for a new steering cable. Man, the rudder movement is super tight. I'm assuming this should be smooth and not super tight. My last Nautique it was smooth, but not loose feeling. So is it packing issue, or should I drop my rudder out and clean and apply some grease? Looks like there was grease squeezed out between the packing nut and tiller arm from years ago. It is dried up and flaking off now. This rudder does not have a grease fitting. Looking for some feedback before I drop the rudder (joy). Thanks, Dave

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11093	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-12-2021 at 2:30pm
	I'd go for the joy of dropping the rudder since you're doing the cable too. That way you know just what you have and when you're done, the rudder should have no hidden issues and your steering should be nice and smooth unless you have some helm problems too.

Skidave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: January-22-2019 Location: York, Pennsylva Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skidave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-12-2021 at 2:46pm
	Yes, I'm going to drop it out. I do things the proper way and this needs to come out. I found this thread which is very good. https://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25087&KW=RUDDER+PACKING&title=how-to-replace-rudder-packing

8122pbrainard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045	Post Options Post Reply Quote 8122pbrainard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-12-2021 at 5:09pm
	David, There is a possibility that the rudder shaft is bent. When you drop it out of the port look for burnished areas on the shart that would indicate a bend.
	54 Atom 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete <

Skidave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: January-22-2019 Location: York, Pennsylva Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skidave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-12-2021 at 8:40pm
	Got it out. Shaft is straight and not bent. Actually, machining is perfect on the shaft ONCE I removed all the old grease. This was really dirty with old grease. I cleaned all surfaces and it goes in and out smoothly and turns easily. To get it out, I had to really work it back and forth and pull down as I went. Ugh. I'm going to replace the packing in the nut. I'm not sure if it is 3/16 or 1/4. I'll order both from Discount Inboard Marine. I know some rudders have grease fittings. The tolerance is so tight, I can't imagine being able to get grease in there. I guess the pressure of the gun would make it get between the two surfaces. I have ballast tanks so space is very tight. I'm not going to try to put a fitting in there. I'll just know in another bunch of years to be prepared for this job.

KennyO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October-19-2020 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote KennyO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-15-2021 at 12:14pm
	Dave, I just did my steering cable and rudder seal because of the same issues. Perfect now. Call Discount Marine and they will tell you exactly which packing you need. They are awesome
	1999 Sport Nautique 1988 2001 (sold)

Skidave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: January-22-2019 Location: York, Pennsylva Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skidave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-15-2021 at 12:23pm
	Thanks. I have been using Discount Inboard Marine for 20+ years. They are wonderful. I actually ordered 3 feet of 3/16 and 3 feet of 1/4 packing to have enough. My rudder had 4 wraps of 3/16 (measured with my calipers). Seems like a lot of packing, but it covers the top of the rudder post that sticks out of the mount and it is about half of the thread length of the nut. I'm not reinventing the wheel, just going to replace what was there.

dkimball Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: July-15-2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote dkimball Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-15-2021 at 12:35pm
	What year is your 206? How did you get your backseat out? I have a 2003 216 and was planning on changing the cable this year and possibly dropping the shaft as well. Last year when I was winterizing I was trying to determine how to get the seat out and I don't see anything obvious that is holding it in. Were there connections buried under the trunk panels? I have done some reading on different sites and they all indicate you just unscrew some knobs and unhook some straps which I can't seem to find. I am about a month away from getting it out of storage and was going to get some parts order so they are ready to go when I can get to it.
	Kimball

samudj01 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: March-10-2009 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 974	Post Options Post Reply Quote samudj01 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-15-2021 at 12:42pm
	On my 99 sport (prob similar path to rudder as your 216) I went down through the storage locker on the back of the boat. I didn’t have to remove my rear seat back.
	78 Ski Tique, 72 Skier w/302's, 93 SN w/351 & 17 GS22 w/zr409 Previous - 99 Sport Nautique w/GT40 and 87 Martinique w/351

Skidave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: January-22-2019 Location: York, Pennsylva Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skidave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-15-2021 at 12:59pm
	Mine is 2003, 206. The back hatch area has a carpeted floor cover, remove it. You will see the rudder. The clamp block is under the seat bottom and gas tank. Remove your floor section between the seat bottom and engine cover and you can reach under to get to the cable and clamp block. To get the rear seat back off, your unscrew 3 big plastic knobs from the hatch area. That exposes the top of the gas tank, but doesn't help you get to the rudder.

Ski 206 Rudder Issue

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