Every mechanical part on your boat will need maintenance in due time. The Jefa rudder system is no exception to this rule. Fortunately the maintenance on the Jefa rudder system is very limited. Before you or a ship yard starts the maintenance work you should read our warranty terms carefully.

The most important maintenance hint is: DO NOT PUT ANY GREASE BETWEEN THE ROLLERS!

The second most important maintenance hint is: DO NOT PUT ANY ANTI-FOULING ON THE RUDDER SHAFT AND BEARING HOUSING please read this very important manual!

Part lists and maintenance info on existing boats can be found on our document (FTP) server. Please follow this link to open this directory.

Rudder Shaft:

The rudder shaft should be inspected yearly for signs of electrolysis. One can recognize these signs by circular patterns of corrosion on the shaft surface. When the rudder blade has a tight fit to the hull, try to use a lamp to have a close look at the gap. Normally it’s not necessary to drop the rudder for further inspection, unless the rudder system has developed backlash or if the shaft rotates irregularly. If you have any concern for electrolysis, please read our electrolysis page carefully.
Important tips and guidelines on how to use anti-fouling on the rudder blade and rudder shaft can be found in this document.
Another area for attention on the rudder shaft is the locking of the tiller arm or quadrant on the shaft. Carefully inspect if no movement between the parts is present. Any movement could wear out the keyway in the shaft with expensive consequences.

Bottom bearing:

The bottom bearing doesn’t need any maintenance except for a good hose down when the ship is taken out of the water. The main reason for this hose down is to remove the salt water out of the bearing housing so it can’t crystallize. If the shaft rotates irregularly, it could be that some rollers have developed a flat side. This will have been caused by a temporarily blocking of the rollers by dirt parts. In most cases this will have been caused by dirt falling in from above on open tube systems. Please use a gaiter to prevent this in the future. 
The exchange of the rollers is quite simple: Drop the rudder out of the ship. Remove the thin delrin ring holding the roller track. Now the rollers and roller track will fall out. Mount the new rollers. To ease this job one can use a balloon to keep the rollers in place (NEVER use any grease). Mount the bottom roller track again and clip-in the newly supplied delrin ring. Please watch the below YouTube movie for instructions.

When you experience a more and more stiffer rudder and steering, it could be you have an corrosion or lime problem in the bearing. Please open this service tip for more info.