Getting rudder blades and shims in castings!

Im ready to reassemble my rudders and make sure the cams work etc. Before I refinished them, epoxy/paint etc I noticed that the lower casting is a very tight fit on the blade.

Any tips on getting the blades and plastic shim washers on without scratching the blade trying?

thanks!

If you are talking about the shim kit, it was very hard for me to put those nylon washer in there.

The way I did it was to tape together the washers on a piece of packing tape with alittle extra tape to hold on to. I then wiggled the taped washers down using the extra tape to guide it into place. Then I pushed the bolt through. The tape then rubs off over time.

I've also heard of people gluing the washers to the blades with a light glue that will break after alittle use.

Double-sided Scotch tape.

double sided tape to the blade and shims ...and how will the casting slide over the blade and shims without moving them?

anyway to hold the casting a bit open without breaking it?

I couldn't quite make a ascii art pictures, but image two pieces of tape about the size of a playing card. Put the washes inside those pieces of clear tape. You'll have some extra tape to hold onto.

Now wedge that piece of tape down in between the casting and the rudder.

I found sticking the washers to the blade didn't' work as well if it was already a tight fit.

If it's already a tight fit, you probably don't NEED the washers...

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

As was said, If it's a tight fit, you don't need shims.
Are they EPO's?
Very often you will have to file and sand the castings to get EPO's in.
You should at the very least clean up the castings with a light file and emory cloth.
They will scratch the rudders bad if this hasn't been done.
Do not try and bend the castings.
Castings break, not bend.

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Pat Bisesi
Fleet 204 Syracuse, NY

Placing shims... if the blade is not too tight:

Place the bolt(s) in the casting from either side with a "shims width" of thread showing on the inside of the casting. Hang the washers on the bolts and then position the blade. Slide one of the bolts through till it pushes the other out.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Use dental floss. Thread it through all parts and pull.

Dental floss. I like that one!

If you run into problems you can try mental floss.

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