Rudder shim kit???

My rudder makes odd noises when I steer under power. A fellow cruiser mentioned that there is a shim kit which mounts just under the rudder where it attaches to the shoe fitting. Seems mine may have too much play? I am interested in any photos or costs? Do I need to reMove the entire rudder? Is there space to slide the shim in place? Any pictures?

Thanks

Terri Ivins
Sailbatical

I don't have photos but the bearing is a horseshoe shapped piece of delrin about 1" thick. The Shims are just strips of stainless about 1" by 3" and close the gap between the shoe and the delrin bearing. Unfortunately the problem with my boat an IP35 which had a similar problem, the shoe itself was loose where it attached to the back of the keel.

So, what problem is this shim kit supposed to correct? Noise? Vibration? Looseness?

Ho.... OK, that's interesting!

Because -

One of the things that was/is still hanging is this. Under power, at RPM > about 3300 or so, there is a terrible vibration/noise. I thought it was probably the Autoprop, which had just been serviced after who-knows-how-long. It does not occur with the transmission in neutral - only under power (I didn't check for it in reverse gear.) I didn't have the helm at the time, so I don't know whether any vibration was transmitted up to the wheel.

The vibration really didn't worry me, because we were up to hull-speed well before we ever got to 3000 RPM. And in its new environment, the engine will get service going to the pumpout and to get out of the marina - that's about it.

But if I could logically attribute this vibration to the rudder, I'd certainly put this shim in, and see what happens. We'll be out of the water for May and part of June, so

---

Thoughts?

Thx

Somewhere I have seen a procedure for when you install the Rudder Shim Kit how you are supposed to have someone at the Helm checking that the Delron Shim isn't applying to much pressure to the rudder as you insert it into the Keel Strap.

Can't relocate those words.

Any ideas?


Larry
Galileo

The current instructions from the factory do not include that language.

Summarizing:
1) Push Delrin yoke and shims together into heel strap far enough so that they are flush with end of heel strap. The fit should be tight enough that you have to tap them in with a wood block and hammer.
2) Drill 1/8" pilot hole through metal, and into Delrin, to a depth of about 3/4"
3) Drill 3/16" clearance hole through heel strap and shims only
4) Fasten yoke in this position with #8 x 3/4" self-tapping screws.

I'm taking this directly from the factory-supplied instruction sheet. I'll install my shim kit in a couple of weeks.

That said, I think what you've suggested is probably a good idea.

Terri, There is a steering play adjustment mechanism. It is located over the quadrent and holds the quadrent down onto the pinion gear. If it is loose, there can be play between the teeth of the quadrent and the gear causing vibration. This happened to me on my IP 32. It is hard to see and requires a short wrench to tighten. Move the wheel and see if there's play at the gear teeth. If so, I have an instruction sheet for the procedure to adjust.
Vic

Found the following on IP Home Port which was submitted by Steve Caneen for his ip 31. This was where I had noticed that a comment was made about someone being present at the wheel during installation..

"I installed the shim kit on my 31 a number of years ago. The kit came with a white delrin plastic block( I think), some metal shims and a couple of ss self-taping screws.

The purpose of the block is to put a slight forward pressure on the button (for want of a better description) that extends from the bottom of the rudder post, through a hole in the weed shoe. The shim limits the movement of the button in the hole. When you have excess movement, you here the knocking sound of the button vibrating against the weed shoe while underway.

Drive the plastic block into the open aft end of the weed shoe. The cut-out in the block faces forward. Have someone at the helm turn the wheel so that you don't drive the block in too far and cause too much friction . Over time the friction will reduce due to wear so this is not too serious if you go too far. You do want the block in contact with the button.

Next install the metal shim(s) on either side of the plastic block to insure a tight fit. Then drill a hole on either side of the weed shoe and install a self-taping screw on either side to hold the metal shims and the plastic block in place.

That's it. After a few years you might remove the screws and drive the block forward to account for wear. On my next haul out I will be doing that."

Larry
Galileo

Can you email procedure or post here?

Galileo,

If you're asking for the factory-supplied procedure for installation of the delrin rudder yoke, please see Hayden's first post in this thread - second post in the thread. That is an exact copy of the instructions I have in front of me, that came with my yoke kit about 6 weeks ago.

They did not, however send any #8 x 3/4" pan head self tapping screws - LOL Batteries not included.

PlumBob

I had the rudder yoke installed but I still got a weird vibration in the helm
About 10 Hz cycles per second
I tightened up that adjustment screw thats mounted
Behind the rudder quadrant, and the vibration went away....
Ed

Vic,
Can you please post the instructions for tightening the gear teeth play at the steering quadrant? I think this is the issue with my IP 27.

Thanks,
Art