Rudder Springs

L

LAuman

Member
I'm replacing the rudder blade on a modern Sunfish. Are there any tricks for getting those 2 side springs on and off (actually, off and on)?
I have tried searches on this forum and don't seem to connect to my question.
 
There is no trick to it. Just grab one end with a needle nose pliers and use brute force. It is slightly easier with the rudder in the down position. BB
 
beldar boathead said:
There is no trick to it. Just grab one end with a needle nose pliers and use brute force. It is slightly easier with the rudder in the down position. BB
Click to expand...
Ask any auto mech. if you could use there "Spring Pliers"...rear drum brakes on a car use the same spring and post set-up! The end that looks like a curved flat screw driver doses the job quick and easy
 
After more than my share of skinned fingers, I now use a pair of Visegrip pliers and grip and lock the spring body just inside the "eye". Then engage the other eye on the post on the metal rudder head and draw the other end over the spring post on the rudder blade. Reverse the process to remove a spring.

By the way, this string should go into the FAQ and/or the Knowledge Base as it was a good question of general interest to Sunfish mechanics.

Alan Glos
 
I tie a small diameter, 2'+ length of line (like what you use for sail ties 1/16") to one of eyes, and pull.
 
Adavid's method is the best. I've done it with strong fishing line after all the other methods failed. It's tough getting the spring eye on the post while pulling with a lot of force. Maybe it's just me.

Fred
 
THANKS! . . a simple, elegant solution. If I have to take it off again, I'll try that.
Incidentally, the hole for that 2-ended anchor stud is a bit oversize. Should there be a bushing in there?
 
As there is spring pressure on both sides, the pin will stay in place even if the hole is oversize. But if you want to make sure it doesn't move around, remove the pin, tape one side of the hole and fill the whole up with thickened epoxy. When cured,
re-drill the hole to the proper size and reinsert the pin

Alan Glos
 
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