[Public-list] Emergency Request for help with a part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(

[edward schroeder]

On Emotional Rescue #303, I also had this problem last year. The original fitting AND the rudder post were already slotted to receive the key. I ordered a new top bronze fitting from Edson for $113.00 plus delivery. When I tried to fit it to the rudder with the key, the tiller was about 15 degrees to port. When I took the tiller and fitting off I discovered that the groove on the Edson fitting had been inaccurately grooved off center. I called Edson and was told that they could not spend time looking in their stockroom for another fitting with a straight groove. "Besides" (they added erroneously) "the key is only to be used as a last resource, the clamping action on the rear bolt is what prevents the tiller from twisting on the rudder post."  B.S. So much for the company that provides whell steering systems for all the large boats.
 
So I put the fitting on straight, without the key in the keyway, and drilled all the way thru for a 1/4-20 bolt and nut, that prevents twisting of the fitting. So as not to be too far crooked while drilling, I went 1/2 way from each side. The holes met less than 1/64th apart. It has been working now all season. I get a little squeaking but very little play.  Ed. Schroeder 

FINNUS505 at aol.com wrote:
Hey,

The dreaded play in the tiller............. I took the rudder post head 
fittings apart to find the rudder post cap has two cracks in it, which explained 
why tightening the fastening bolts did not eliminate the play. The cracks are 
about 1/8" long, extending verticaly up from the bottom of the cap sleeve.


Stargazer is a 1967 boat. This rudder post cap fitting is secured to the 
rudder post two ways;
-a tightening bolt on the aft face of the cap which squeezes the cap on to 
the rudder post, and
-a short 1/2" SS bolt that threads through the forward face of the cap 
fitting, and then threads into a hole in the forward face of the rudder post.


The rudder post seems fine. There is no play in the thread for the 1/2" bolt.


I went to Edson here in New Bedford, and they had a rudder post cap and 
gooseneck fitting which would fit the rudder post, but, their fitting is fixed by 
a key, slotted into the fitting and the rudder post. To use it, I would have 
to slot the rudder post, or drill a hole through the fitting, very 
accurately, and tap it, to take the bolt. I'm not sure their fitting is thick enough at 
the point where the bolt would go to hold the thread. I would sure rather 
not have to start messing with the rudder post, to try to cut in a groove for a 
key, or drill an athwartship hole through it to put a bolt athwartships 
through cap and post, it I don't have to.

I'm sure if my rudder post cap has failed, other A 30 owners have suffered 
the same fate.
What did you guys do?

Can't sail until I get this fixed, so any help, as soon as possible, is 
greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!
One more joy of owning a 40 year old boat, I guess,
Thx,
Lee
Stargazer #255
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