Engine Maintenance Chapter 9 Marine Steering Systems

2 Objectives for the Student Understand components and maintenance associated with Understand components and maintenance associated with mechanical marine tiller and rudder steering systems mechanical marine tiller and rudder steering systems mechanical marine cable steering systems mechanical marine cable steering systems marine hydraulic steering systems marine hydraulic steering systems

3 Stern-Mounted Rudder and Tiller System Pintle and Gudgeon System Pintle and Gudgeon System oldest “modern” steering system oldest “modern” steering system sensitive response sensitive response used on smaller sailboats used on smaller sailboats

4 Rudder Balance Balanced Rudder Balanced Rudder equal surface area equal surface area little force required little force required difficult to control difficult to control FLOW

5 Rudder Balance Semi-Balanced Rudder Semi-Balanced Rudder provides feedback provides feedback FLOW

6 Rudder Balance Unbalanced Rudder Unbalanced Rudder mechanically simple mechanically simple sensitive response sensitive response requires most effort requires most effort FLOW

7 Stuffing Boxes Tapered Sleeve Pinches Packing onto Shaft Tapered Sleeve Pinches Packing onto Shaft Tighten hand-tight plus 1/6 turn Tighten hand-tight plus 1/6 turn

8 Rudder Post Tube No Packing Required No Packing Required Flush Tube Occasionally and Grease with Teflon Flush Tube Occasionally and Grease with Teflon Caution: the upper bearing sometimes carries the weight of the rudder. Make sure the rudder is properly supported before disassembly! Caution: the upper bearing sometimes carries the weight of the rudder. Make sure the rudder is properly supported before disassembly!

9 Tiller and Rudder Maintenance 1. Install a pin to retain the pintle-and- gudgeon rudder 2. Tie a line if needed 3. Carry an emergency tiller 4. Lubricate periodically 5. Check for loose bolts, rot 6. Flush rudder tube occasionally

10 Mechanical Steering Systems Rack and Pinion System Converts Rotary Wheel Motion to Linear Cable Motion Rack and Pinion System Converts Rotary Wheel Motion to Linear Cable Motion Can be Flush Mounted in Helm Station Can be Flush Mounted in Helm Station

11 Mechanical Steering Systems Drum and Cable System Drum and Cable System Pull-Pull System Based on Cable Wrapped Around Drum in Helm Station Pull-Pull System Based on Cable Wrapped Around Drum in Helm Station

12 Mechanical Steering Systems Chain Can be Substituted for Wrapped Cable Chain Can be Substituted for Wrapped Cable Chain is Connected to Cable Within Pedestal Chain is Connected to Cable Within Pedestal

13 Pull-Pull Cabling Flexible Cable Permits Flexible Installation Flexible Cable Permits Flexible Installation Permits Multiple Stations Permits Multiple Stations Do Not Kink the Cable Do Not Kink the Cable Maintain with a Periodic Application of Grease Maintain with a Periodic Application of Grease

14 Pull-Pull Cabling Flexible Cable Permits Flexible Installation Flexible Cable Permits Flexible Installation Same Principle as Drum and Cable Same Principle as Drum and Cable

15 Steering System Maintenance

16 Worm Gear Steering Shaft of Helm Station is Connected to a Worm Gear (Screw) Shaft of Helm Station is Connected to a Worm Gear (Screw) An Acme Nut is Connected to Crank on the Rudder Post An Acme Nut is Connected to Crank on the Rudder Post

17 Worm Gear Steering Lubricate Generously Lubricate Generously

18 Rod Steering Primitive Linkage System Primitive Linkage System Used on Small Tenders Used on Small Tenders Maintenance: Maintenance: Oil All Pivots as Needed Oil All Pivots as Needed Inspect for Loose Fittings Inspect for Loose Fittings

19 Hydraulic Steering Used on Larger Craft Used on Larger Craft Provides a “No Feedback” Feature Provides a “No Feedback” Feature Maintenance: Maintenance: Maintain fluid level Maintain fluid level Maintain 30 psi (200 kPa) reservoir pressure Maintain 30 psi (200 kPa) reservoir pressure Check fittings periodically Check fittings periodically

20 Remember… You should be able to identify problems and explain them to a mechanic