Steering gets stiff as approaching hard to starboard

[benzy]

Got a weird problem. We have a Moody 376. It has a Whitlock steering pedestal, chain and cable system.

Our wheel turns very easy. However, it is noticeably stiffer when approaching hard over to starboard.

It is not stiff when nearing hard over to port.

Few things I have already checked:
- Steering quadrant - nothing obstructing this
- Rudder - nothing obstructing this

Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by benzy

Got a weird problem. We have a Moody 376. It has a Whitlock steering pedestal, chain and cable system.

Our wheel turns very easy. However, it is noticeably stiffer when approaching hard over to starboard.

It is not stiff when nearing hard over to port.

Few things I have already checked:
- Steering quadrant - nothing obstructing this
- Rudder - nothing obstructing this

Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks

Is the system truly symmetrical? Or is there a different placement of the cable sheaves between port and starboard?

Or is your quadrant not centered when the rudder is centered?

I don't think either of these scenarios are likely, just spitballin'.

Assuming its not either of those, I'd be trying to isolate the problem. Decouple the rudder from the steering pedestal and see if the problem is with the rudder or the pedestal (or perhaps the chain?) Debugging 101.

My pedestal had a tight spot caused by two dented gears inside the top end, when the two dented parts lined up it would get really tight.

[kinggeordie]

Seen a similar problem to this where the cable was dirty on the inside of the sleeve, my friend removed his cable popped in a cleaning bath for a couple days then re greased, or could possibly be the cable starting to fray on the inside causing drag

[benzy]

Update: as Chris suggested, I decoupled the steering cables from the quadrant. So now it’s just the Rudder and quadrant turning.

And it is still stiff on starboard!

I’ve double checked and nothing seems to be getting in the way of the quadrant.

So it is definitely a rudder problem.

Maybe something to do with the bearing??

[benzy]

Update 2: I’m a bit of an idiot. I failed to mention the boat has been on the hard for 6 months. That means very dry rudder seal.

I got the hose and sprayed from outside into the bottom of the rudder seal and slowly worked the rudder back and forth. It got more and more lubricated and now turns both ways no worries.

Lesson learned!

[chris95040]

Nice!

[skipmac]

Thanks for posting the resolution.

Not only potentially helpful for the rest of us but it's annoying to read about a problem and never find out if it was fixed and how it was fixed or if a solution was never found.

[benzy]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Thanks for posting the resolution.



Not only potentially helpful for the rest of us but it's annoying to read about a problem and never find out if it was fixed and how it was fixed or if a solution was never found.

No worries. I know what you mean!