Help! Didn't see zerk fitting on my rudder box

[peterjbrown]

89 skier, last season steering was fine, now seems a little tight. Did some reading up on here and went to grease the zerk fitting on the rudder box, but didn't see one! Did I just miss it? I gave it a thourough looksee, but didn't see anything remotely resembling a grease fitting.

Any thoughts? Can I disassemble the rudder box and grease that way? Thanks for the help! Don't know what I'd do without the reference material on here!

[skicrave]

I don't know if an '89 Skier had the zirk fitting to grease the rudder collar or not. If it does, it should be facing the bow of the boat.

Since access is relatively easy on your boat, I would recommend disconnecting the tiller arm on the end of the steering cable from the rudder shaft to check to make sure the problem is actually in the rudder. With the steering cable disconnected, if the rudder moves freely from side to side, then the problem is in the steering cable (which is more likely).

[Malibudude]

Peter,

I'll put money that it's the steering cable.

[peterjbrown]

Thanks guys... will disconnect steering cable tonight and give it a try.

[Sixball]

I also am putting bucks on the steering cable. I spent a season trying to free one up on my old boat. After the season I put a new cable in and wow just like new one finger steering.

[JasonK]

My rudder arm was rubbing on my exhaust hose. I had to create a spacer to widen the distance. It is easy to disassemble the rudder for lube.