The packing looks really good, see picture. The previous owner did some work on the steering cable and he must have replaced the packing, looks like the goretex type.

I have read as much as I could find on rudders and the question I have is about grease. Some people add grease zerts, some smear grease on the shaft before reassembly, some say no grease at all. On mine, there was no grease in there or on the rudder shaft. 

My steering is smooth at idle and turns easily with one finger, but at speed its a bit more work. I have read that some people can turn their boat at speed with one finger after greasing.

What is the right way to grease the rudder?

When I had mine apart I greased shaft liberally (no zerk) with anti seize.  Any water resistant grease would work.

With new cable, mine was 1 finger steering at any speed.

I would advocate grease and wax rope.  

It makes we wonder if the nut was not tight enough or if the rope is the wrong size?  

Jonny

I'm just astounded that you never put a remote grease fitting kit on your rudder or made your own, then it wouldn't be a bugger at all 

Here's an example in the link

http://locknlube.com/products/grease-fitting-relocation-kit?variant=8345691258935&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CedCommerceGoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwmv-DBhAMEiwA7xYrdzhSrftv6d0f51z1mlx2dVCqWbqyY08A4k0dZeM9Ao9crJcubaHlxRoCDBoQAvD_BwE" rel="nofollow - link

or if someone wanted to spend bigger bucks, here's an example from Nautiqueparts

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/product/rudder-port-service-whip-51-inc-bracket/" rel="nofollow - link

I really enjoyed pushing my aging body into contorted positions so that I...could...just...barely...reach...that...zerk.  A remote grease fitting kit just makes too much sense.  I think I'll put one on the new SNOB though...

JQ

The steering has been light and smooth since install but new grease is due!

You might read this quote below, you may not have a grease fitting but..........

8122pbrainard wrote: Eric, Eric has seen probably more rudder shafts and ports than I have but I too have never seen much wear on ether. Your friend Ed sounds like a capable guy but he may be missing the fact that the rudder and the port are two different alloys and two different hardness's. Remote lube points sure make things easy but have been around for a long time on lots of equipment. The parts needed are available at the hardware store or supply house including the bulk head fitting that you mentioned to as special. It's my opinion that it's overkill to install the remote point. Check your cable as Eric has mentioned. If it is your rudder shaft that is binding then it's the packing that may be dried out. Repack and grease it. I put a new bottom on my wood X55 27 years ago and at that time had the rudder and port out of the boat. I didn't repack but did throw some grease it it and tighten up the packing. I haven't touched it since. It doesn't have a Zurk on it.:

If you're confused, I can link the thread it came from 

You probably have some 40 year old grease in there

That’s a good observation. I will slide it back on the rudder before reinstalling it and see how it looks and make sure that it is the correct size packing. 

Pete, are you saying that your boats don’t have zurks so therefore no grease?

The major difference with these greaseable ports is they are tpically fitted with seals to prevent grease leakage. Without seals, any grease applied to the port/rudder shaft will eventually wash out. When installing a non greasable, it's not bad to add some grease. Comsider this to be "assembly" grease which will help with the initial lubriction before water gets to the packing. 

That makes sense about the seals and the grease washing out. I'll grease it up for assembly as you suggested.

Thanks!

You didn't mention why you took the rudder out, but assuming that everything is good, or fixed or whatever, stick it back in, repack with your choice of packing and grease is optional but not absolutely necessary

Just call it "assembly grease" and give it a shot or 2 every now and then 

It won't hurt anything

If I grease it every 50 hrs, there is NO boat in our club that steers better than mine (okay, the '21 MC is pretty close but it's only five months old......   :)

Before you do, try tightening the gland nut.  That usually stops the leak.  As the rudder doesn't spin like a prop shaft, a little twist or 2 won't hurt anything.  Just make sure that the rudder still turns freely.  If your rudder port has a grease zerk, give that a shot of water resistant grease.

JQ

The correct size will be whatever size you didn't buy 

You can search and find people who used  3/16 and others who used 1/4 with the same rudder as yours, so since the packing is pretty dirt cheap.............buy some of each and you can't go wrong.