Lewmar steering tight

captpatrick211 · August 24 2018, 03:34

Hey everyone... Bavaria Vision 40, 2007. Just purchased - Seems like the steering is tight. Boat responds well and everything below appears greased and good. No blockage of any of the gears that I can see. Not a huge problem, just tighter than other Bavarias. Think this is a problem? Thanks!

Salty · August 24 2018, 07:02

It might sound daft, but have you released the brake, the central spinner thing in the middle of the steering wheel?

IslandAlchemy · August 24 2018, 08:19

If it's not that, it's probably the rudder bearing swelling up. When they do this, they need replacing. A common problem.

captpatrick211 · August 28 2018, 02:27

Many thanks!

MarkTheBike · August 28 2018, 19:51

Hi capt-p
In the interim (and it's not the wheel brake mentioned by Salty), it might be worth sticking your head into the lazarette, loosening the seal at the top of the rudder stock (inside the big rubber tube) and squirting in 3 - 4 tablespoons of cheapo cooking oil. That will sit on top of the bearing, slowly working its way around and lubing it (without affecting the wildlife). It'll help ease the steering until such time as you can investigate further. Worth a punt...

captpatrick211 · August 29 2018, 23:44

Will do Mark - thank you!

Lyra · August 30 2018, 10:13

Yes - do what Mark suggested.
Had the same issue 5 years ago - oiled as suggested and no problem since.

MarkTheBike · August 30 2018, 11:32

It made a big difference but mine's only lasted about 2-3 yrs and needs replenishing. Perhaps I'll use a bit more this time...

Lyra · August 30 2018, 13:35

I can tell you that in my case is was not just "slight tightness" - it was a situation where you had to apply a lot of force to steer. This situation caught me in the middle of a passage from Israel to Kastelorizo (Greece). First the auto pilot stopped steering and it quite quickly degraded to a stage where it was hard to steer for more than an hour or so (luckily we were 4 on board). Since at that time there was no internet in Kastelorizzo, only in Kos I was able to search for for this solution. It did not work immediately - first application helped only a bit, but after a second application and a night rest it went smooth again with no problems since.