Rudder Bushing Replacement

[slode]

I just replaced the rudder bushings on my Eclipse and have a couple tips that others may find useful. 

After punching the old bushings out with a pin punch I found everything to be pretty worn.  They appeared to be solid bronze.  They were all worn to over 0.317" on the inside diameter.  And the 5/16" bolts were worn were the bushings ride.

I decided to go with a single longer bushing to replace the pair in each boss.  The length of the casting bosses varied a bit but were all just slightly over 1 ¼" so that's the length I went with.
Actual part used McMASTER-CARR 2868T71
https://www.mcmaster.com/#2868t71/=1amzdf0

To further reduce slop I opted for M8 metric bolts in place of the 5/16".  The actual shank diameter on a partially threaded 5/16" bolt can be as small as 0.307".  That's a pretty sloppy fit for this small of shaft.  8mm is couple thousandths over 5/16" and most M8 bolt shanks measure within 0.310-0.312". Just the perfect fit to a true 5/16" bushing.  Actual bolts used were partially threaded M8-1.25 x 80mm long, stainless steel of course.  I thought of using actual 5/16" shaft and threading the ends but that sounded like a lot more work and cost to get the same results.

Assembly was very simple.   I just used a fully threaded bolt with a nut and washer to press the bushings in.  I did this all in my garage but would have no hesitation doing at a slip.  While I had it apart I removed the gudgeon and blasted and re-painted the castings.

The end result is a free turning rudder with almost no slop that I expect to hold up better than the original.

[TedStrat]

Wow...great write up Slode. Having an Eclipse this will come in handy someday soon.

[Don from Peconic Bay]

Great information Slode.  This is on my winter to-do list for my CP16 and this is the exact information I needed.  I think I have to drill out the holes on the 16's gudgeon to 1/2", then the referenced bushings should fit perfectly.  M8 bolts are  a great idea.

[Jon898]

For people who have the old plastic instead of bronze bushings, the following thread applies (I used it back in 2015):
http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=2115.0

Jon