Hello all,
I started hearing a low pitched squeaking noise as a turn the rudder back and forth today. When I open the back bilge hatch it's a rather loud noise. It seams to be coming from the packing gland area around the rudder shaft. Is this a sign of a big problem about to happen? My other boats all had I/Os so I 'm not familiar with this setup (but I am sure I am about to get very familiar with it!). Does anyone know what the recomended maintenance is on this??
Thanks again for any input.
Paul
• Welcome to https://albinowners.net, the new home of Albin Owners Group!
• You will need to log in here, and you may want to bookmark this site. If you don't remember your password, use the I forgot my password link to reset it.
• All content has been transferred from our previous site.
• Contact Us if you have any questions or notice a problem. If you're not receiving our email, include a phone number where we can text you.
• You will need to log in here, and you may want to bookmark this site. If you don't remember your password, use the I forgot my password link to reset it.
• All content has been transferred from our previous site.
• Contact Us if you have any questions or notice a problem. If you're not receiving our email, include a phone number where we can text you.
FAQ:
• Membership information
• Burgees
• How to post photos
• Membership information
• Burgees
• How to post photos
Ruuder SHaft Noise
Moderator: Jeremyvmd
-
Capt Paul
- Gold Member
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:49 pm
- Location: San Francisco,CA
Ruuder SHaft Noise
1999 Albin 28 TE "Antoinette"
-
jcollins
- In Memorium
- Posts: 4927
- Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 9:05 pm
- Home Port: Baltimore
- Location: Seneca Creek Marina
- Contact:
-
Capt Paul
- Gold Member
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:49 pm
- Location: San Francisco,CA
John,
We figured out where the noise was coming from and it is not the packing gland housing. It was really hard to figure out because of all the echoing in the bilge. The rudder shaft goes through a bracket/brace that’s attached to the struts on the bottom of the boat. There is a bushing in this brace and that is where the sound was coming from. A few squirts of WD-40 and that sound was gone. Easy fix but lots of worries until it was figured out. I am going to have the packing gland checked the next time I pull the boat out anyway. The bushing can be replaced without pulling the boat. I just need to see where I can order one.
I doubled check my packing gland housing and there is no grease fitting on mine. Let me know if you have one.
BTW, I while back I promised you some pictures to show you how my extra batteries are stored. Here they are:
We figured out where the noise was coming from and it is not the packing gland housing. It was really hard to figure out because of all the echoing in the bilge. The rudder shaft goes through a bracket/brace that’s attached to the struts on the bottom of the boat. There is a bushing in this brace and that is where the sound was coming from. A few squirts of WD-40 and that sound was gone. Easy fix but lots of worries until it was figured out. I am going to have the packing gland checked the next time I pull the boat out anyway. The bushing can be replaced without pulling the boat. I just need to see where I can order one.
I doubled check my packing gland housing and there is no grease fitting on mine. Let me know if you have one.
BTW, I while back I promised you some pictures to show you how my extra batteries are stored. Here they are:
1999 Albin 28 TE "Antoinette"
-
chiefrcd
- Gold Member
- Posts: 541
- Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 10:29 am
- Home Port: Deltaville, VA
- Location: Deltaville Virginia
- Contact:
-
Capt Paul
- Gold Member
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:49 pm
- Location: San Francisco,CA
All that Stuff
Chief,
First let me say that I did not set the boat up this way. The original owner did. You should also know that under the batteries and inverter is a 60 gallon reserve fuel tank. So my guess is the boat was at least partially set up this way at the factory. My transducers are set back near the transmission on the other side of the bulkhead. The Y valve is moved to the starboard side close to the battery under the helm station as is everything else you mentioned. It's a pretty tight fit but everything is reachable.
Paul
First let me say that I did not set the boat up this way. The original owner did. You should also know that under the batteries and inverter is a 60 gallon reserve fuel tank. So my guess is the boat was at least partially set up this way at the factory. My transducers are set back near the transmission on the other side of the bulkhead. The Y valve is moved to the starboard side close to the battery under the helm station as is everything else you mentioned. It's a pretty tight fit but everything is reachable.
Paul
1999 Albin 28 TE "Antoinette"
-
Mariner
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1450
- Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:18 am
- Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Packing glands are not packed with grease, but rather packing material. The packing is sort of like a piece of rope soaked in wax. It is available at West Marine or any other chandlery. However, I do not know that the rudder shaft is sealed in this manner. It doesn't sound to me like you have a problem with the rudder's shaft seal, but rather with the bearing you sprayed with WD-40. Figure out how that bearing is supposed to be lubricated and do that. WD-40 may just be masking the problem.