MacGregorSailors.com

Just as we were returning to port on Sunday noticed a annoying noise coming from my steering mechinism in our 07 M.

At first, I thought it was likely coming from the pivoting rod on the motor steering connection, but it was coming from the main steering rod that comes from inside of the boat into the motor well. The noise was from the rod rubbing on the fibreglass hole.

I did not have time to fully investigate and assume maybe the steering linkage has come loose below. Has anyone else experienced this and what was the quick fix?

Yeah, mine has done that pretty much since day one. I have not found a good fix yet...

I have the same noise. Sort of a squeaking/squealing noise as the steering pole rubs on the sides of the hole.

I saw a mod about using a type of seal to seal that hole up.

Jim

if you traed yourselfe with sun-loation, just grab the staering rod and treat it the same way.
have a quiet sail

Bit of soap helps to lubricate it but am looking for a seal which hopefully will stop the noise too.

My 2004 M does the same thing.

The thing I've found most effective at stopping it is door pin lubricant - it comes in a stick like a big crayon and you just rub it on the rod. It is like a wax so it does not wash off easily, and it is white or yellow so also does not make a gooey mess like grease.

I keep a stick of the lube in the little bag of goodies that I keep in the cockpit all the time, along with the air horn, stereo remote, etc.

Candle wax or vaseline should also work and likewise make a lot less mess than grease.

- Andy

I have the same issue on my 06 . Jack Sparrow has submitted a mod that enlarges the hole and installs a seal to prevent water intrusion. See his mod in the miscellaneous section. I may follow his lead. That noise is downright embarrasing pulling up to the landing. I have done the sunscreen lubriction also. Works for a hour or so.

I found out,quite accidentally,that the drip ring seal from a kayak paddle makes a perfect seal for the steering bar. I put on on with 5200,and lubed the bar with sailkote,and the noise dissappeared-temporarily. I find I have to reapply the lubricant after every couple of trips.
I'm thinking of taking another seal and apply it to the inner wall where the steering shaft exits. This would create a holding area to pack with grease/silicone lube etc.

Thanks for all the input guys.

I agree the noise is "real embarrassing"!

I think I will try the hinge pin lube for the short term and look at installing a working seal this fall when it comes out of the water.

Thanks for the suggestions

the kind you get at lowes in the screw draw wall. have one, but haven't installed it.

used milk carton plastic which stopped the noise, but couldn't get it to stay in.

Mine did that too from day one. I lubed it with spray lube and that would help for a while. I finally ordered a teflon tube from McMaster Carr and slid it over the rod. Problem solved. I can probably fine the part number if anyone is interested. http://www.mcmaster.com/

Daniel

baldbaby2000 wrote:I can probably fine the part number if anyone is interested.

I would like to have the part no from McMaster Carr for the teflon tube. If you plese could post that number.

I was thinking to use the a Molded Neopren-Latex Bellow Part No 9744k17 from McMaster to also seal the opening in the hull.

I also found the Slimline Ball Joint Linkages quick disconnect Part No 6058K34 ($6.07) to build the stearing disconnect from the motor during sailing.

Thanks

I would like to have the part no from McMaster Carr for the teflon tube.

McMaster has some neat stuff.

I think the one I used is: 52355K22 for $8.96/ft and I got one foot. It's a tight fit so I worked a pliers handle or something like that in the end to stretch the end slightly so it would initially slide on easier. Once I got it started I don't remember it being hard to slide on.

Take out the bolt on the end of the tube towards the motor and it should slide on almost to the bolt inside the boat holding it to the steering bar. Then drill or cut holes in the tube so you can reinsert the bolt. Works great; no more noise and maybe even less drag on the steering.

It would probably be good to make sure your steering tube is 1" diameter like mine in case Macgreggor changed something.

Daniel

hvolkhart wrote:... I also found the Slimline Ball Joint Linkages quick disconnect Part No 6058K34 ($6.07) to build the stearing disconnect from the motor during sailing.

Be careful, that $6 part is zinc plated, not stainless steel.

See here for a full page of ball joint options (SEARCH NOTE: sometimes called heim joints). Note that some are available in stainless, a better choice. The third group include the Quick-release feature.

SQI is the one I'd choose ... also available in metric sizes as SQM. The quarter-inch-28 is out-of-stock but both 10-32 and 5/16" are available. They're surprisingly inexpensive, less than ten bucks for 300 series stainless.

dont worry guys over time the squeek goes away, on the other side I like the gromit Idea. I was thinking of those shock protectors but the gromit seems better.