Steering squeak on 26 M

[delevi]

My steering has developed a rather annoying squeak. I sprayed all points I could think of with silicone lube: Wheel shaft between wheel & plastic housing, inside plastic housing through the little hole, engine steering bar, and connector bar between rudders & engine bar. The squeak isn't as bad now, but not gone. I should point out that I have an autopilot, however, you can't lube that for it will get ruined. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Leon

[c130king]

Leon,

I had/have the same problem but for me it is definitely where the steering bar comes through the fiberglass just to the Port side of the motor.

Seems to me that hole either needs to be bigger so that it doesn't rub the steering bar (but this would probably allow more water to leak)...or need some sort of bushing (not sure of the proper term) for a smoother operation. This has been discussed before...haven't searched for it recently.

But my 2-stroke is so loud I am normally deafened and can't hear it after a while...

Good Luck,
Jim

[r.fairman]

I agree with last post. My squeak can from steering bar rubbing on fibreglass. Really annoyning and seems to confince you that there is a problem with steering. I use WD40 or even olive oil to fix (we live in Turkey) Ordinary is ok but use virgin oil for better results

[c130king]

I use WD40 or even olive oil to fix (we live in Turkey) Ordinary is ok but use virgin oil for better results

...and plenty of fresh garlic and some crushed black pepper...

[egwall1]

If the squeak is from the thru hull location, I'm surprised you haven't heard this before, Leon. My '07 M did it from the start. The oils and sprays only lasted a few hours for me.
The motor linkage geometry isn't right for a straight push/pull, and on some points of stroke the SS tube gets forced against the fiberglass hole edge pretty hard. I suppose this varies with motor make and size. Mine is an E-Tec 60. I tried the teflon thin wall tube (from McMaster-Carr.) suggested some time ago on this site. It was gouged and torn soon after install from the ragged hole edge. I rasped the hole slightly larger and radiused the hole edge, inside and out with sandpaper, and slid on the other half of the teflon tube. Now, it is absolutely silent. What a blessing when near other boats, or the dock.

[c130king]

Can you post a picture of this tube?

Thanks,
Jim

[egwall1]

The clear teflon tube wouldn't show up on a photo of my installation, Jim.
I made a pdf of the page from the McMaster-Carr catalog showing the tube, but now can't figure out how to attach it to this message.
The tube is a 1" I.D. X 1-1/16 O.D rigid clear teflon sold by McMaster as item number 52355K22. It is sold in either two or five foot lengths at $8.96 per foot. You only need about nine or ten inches to cover the full throw of the motor steering arm through the hull hole. The teflon I.D. is a fairly tight fit with the SS arm, and my initial dry run didn't get the tube very far. I also noticed that a few burrs on the outer arm end needed to be filed off to make sliding easier. Was beginning to worry I'd wasted my $20 some bucks for tube with shipping, but after a liberal coating of silicone spray lube on both steering arm O.D. and teflon I.D., it went on with some careful pounding with a wood block and mallet.
Don't do like I did my first try, and go through all this effort without first slightly enlarging, and really smoothing up that wicked hull hole. Of course, the two foot minumum puchase does give you enough for a second try...
PS: is there a good (simple lay terms) explanation of how to get attachments into a post like this?
Thanks,
Eric

[baldbaby2000]

You can go to the Mcmaster-carr site and type that number into the search window.

[dennisneal]

I have the same problem and its an occasional annoyance. This solution is appreciated.

[paj637]

I just put on a dab of white silicon grease, exercised the steering a few times and I haven't had a noise out of it.

[Hamin' X]

[baldbaby2000]

You might check out an early thread: http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... ter#p91598

[c130king]

...I made a pdf of the page from the McMaster-Carr catalog showing the tube, but now can't figure out how to attach it to this message...
PS: is there a good (simple lay terms) explanation of how to get attachments into a post like this?
Thanks,
Eric

Eric,

Thanks for the info.

I believe you have to have 10 posts before you can post a picture...and maybe the same for posting a link. I am not 100% sure on how to post a .pdf file...unless you can save it to a website and then link to it. Or if you can save it as a picture you can use photobucket.com to create a free account to store pictures and then post a link to the picture in your post...once you have hit the minimum of 10 posts firsts.

Check out the FAQ section above for more info.

Thanks again,
Jim

[delevi]

Greased up the engine steering bar with teflon lube. No squeak.

[beene]

Glad to hear Leon.

I use sail Kote.

Same idea.

I find the sail Kote is good as it is basically transparent, resist washing away in the rain, lasts a long time, and works like what you have used.

Cheers

G