A25 rudder pipe head fitting

[Dieselram94]

Does anybody’s A 25 lower rudder pipe fitting have the bushing sticking out of the fitting as mine does? This seems way too tall to fit. I believe the overall part is .25” to tall.

[dkirsop]

My boat is in the water but I seem to recall the bushing sat flush or slightly below the top of the pipe end.

[hetek]

I second what dkirsop wrote. "Flush or slightly below".

Still, I had to wiggle it a bit to get it over the threaded bung and onto the rudder post. I can imagine the difficulty you must be having with the bushing being proud of the pipe 1/4".

20190508_191850.jpg

The metal part above is the rudder post (thicker than the "pin" that goes in the bushing) and the black is just a smear of grease. No composite bushing is seen above the top of the pipe.

Me? I would measure twenty times but most likely end up cutting it flush. I didn't say that out loud though. You didn't hear me say anything.

Definitely be sure the bushing is seated to the bottom of the pipe, first.

[tribologist]

Thats looks like aluminum?? Hard to weld stainless to make it look like that. Did you get that from Albinmotors? Mine is only about 2.32 or maybe even 60mm . I think i need to get into making Albin parts...,

[Dieselram94]

Thanks for the replies everyone!!! I feel a lot better everybody’s bushing is flush or below!!! I did get it from Albin motors, and not sure if aluminum or stainless. But it’s kind of heavy like stainless. Me being color blind makes identifying metals like that hard to do. I might run a metal detector over it and see how it registers?
Anyways, I did use my vice to make sure it was completely seated. I do believe I will be cutting the bushing tonight. Right now I’m just test fitting everything as I’m waiting for my new prop shaft and coupling to arrive.

[hetek]

I recall reading that the rudder actually "hangs" from the stuffing box above, rather than "sit" on the pipe fitting. Therefore it should be possible to do a quick head-check with the ruler to be sure no downward pressure will be pushing on the pipe, once trimmed to fit and installed.

But now you have to be sure the rudder is "hanging" at the correct height. Yeah, I know! Jeez!

I would also check the up/down play on the rudder in the tube to be sure. The rudder is designed to swing port/starboard, not up/down.

The bushing sticking out must just be a manufacturing tolerance thing. No harm, no foul if it stick up. That's what saws are for. Just causes a lot of uncertainty! I feel your pain.

[dkirsop]

This post will give you some help in the final fitting.
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=10756&hilit=rudder+seal

[Dieselram94]

I wonder how much variance is in these hills and rudders? Even after I trim the bushing flush it will be a bit too tight. I might have to resort to slightly bending the skeg downward. It looks straight right now though.

Just got word my new propeller shaft has shipped but my new stuffing box is backordered 6-8 weeks!! The old stuffing box is in good shape, however it is bored off center when viewed from the end where the tube clamps on. I’ll post a picture tonight of that. I was a bit shocked to see that. I just really want to make sure this thing runs true.

[Dieselram94]

Some pics of stuffing box bored off center. Seems this would slightly preload the shaft off center...

[dkirsop]

If the skeg is strait don't bend it. File the top end of the pipe end until it fits then trim the bushing. Everything should come together without force.

[Dieselram94]

If the skeg is strait don't bend it. File the top end of the pipe end until it fits then trim the bushing. Everything should come together without force.

I think your right, actually I know your right. I visually can’t see a bend but it’s for sure had something happen to the skeg in the past. Just not sure what.

Hopefully I should get some time tomorrow to make it fit. I think I found another store hat has correct size stuffing box in stock, unfortunately they’re closed until Monday. The more I think about it, I believe the misaligned shaft wore the stuffing box out of round. Probably could reuse it, but as cheap as they are compared to the shaft I can’t see fooling with it.