Changing Rudder Lip Seals
The rudder has been removed from the boat:
Remove the retaining ring that sits on top of the lip seal from the body of the bearing housing. The retaining ring resembles two coils of a flat spring.
The top corner of the retaining ring is cut away. Using a small screwdriver, or other small pointed tool, pry the end of the ring out of its groove in the bearing housing.
Grip the end of the ring with pliers, and pull upward until the ring is completely out of the housing. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, lever under the lip of the old
lip seal to remove it from the housing. You may also firmly grip the lip of the seal with pliers, and pull upward. Be careful not to scratch the side of the lip seal cavity.
Inspect and clean the inside of the lip seal cavity in the rudder bearing housing.
There should be no vertical scratches on the inside diameter of the cavity.
Position the new lip seal over the cavity in the rudder bearing. Tap the new seal into place with a mallet, or some other smooth object. Sometimes it is possible to lever the seal into place using the rudder shelf as a lever point. If a spare seal housing is available, position the shoulder of the housing on top of the lip seal, and tap the face of the spare seal housing until the new lip seal is seated into the rudder bearing. You will know when the lip seal is fully seated when the retaining ring groove is fully exposed. Re-install the stainless retaining ring into its groove. Insert the provided seal protector down into the lip seal. Make sure that the seal protector is fully inserted, so that it covers the lip of the seal.
Locate the area of the rudder shaft that contacts the lip seal. Using 220 - 300 grit emery cloth, polish this area of the rudder shaft using a radial motion (around the shaft). Do not use an axial motion (lengthwise). The rudder shaft may now be raised into position. Be careful not to dislodge the seal protector.
The rudder has not been removed from the boat:
If the rudder hasn't been removed, or if the shaft has not been lowered below the old lip seal, use one of these options:
Insert a pick or pointed tool into the body of the lip seal, and pry out. Be careful not to scratch the shaft.
Open the jaws of small needle-nose pliers about 1/2" (10mm), push the jaws into the seal body, close the jaws, and pull up.
Thread two self-tapping screws into the seal body, and pry up on the screws.
As above, clean the lip seal cavity in the bearing, and polish the newly exposed area of the rudder shaft.
Install the new lip seal onto the seal protector (provided by Tides Marine), then slide the protector with the seal down over the rudder stock onto the polished portion
of the shaft. Slide the lip seal off the seal protector.
Install the new lip seal as above, and re-install the retaining ring into its groove.
Finish the job by inverting the seal protector, and letting it rest on top of the rudder bearing.
This acts as a dust cover to keep debris out of the lip seal.
Please contact Tides Marine technical support, 954-420-0949, if you have any questions.
For a Complete Listing of Replacement Nitrile Lip Seals for Tides Marine Rudder Port Systems Click Here
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