Upper Rudder Bearing- LP
Product Overview
The Tides Marine Low Profile Upper Rudder Bearing was developed for use on boats where the steering system components need to be mounted as close to the rudder shelf as possible. Mounted as a fitted bearing, it is bedded into a tube in the rudder shelf. This design helps maintain a clean, low profile appearance.
Like the standard configuration, it is a self-aligning design which accommodates up to 10 degrees of off-axis alignment between the mounting surface and rudder stock. Similarly, it requires no shimming during installation and won't load up the shaft during use.
The URB-LP, as compared to conventional cast bronze units, is lighter, quieter and smoother. The unit consists of a UHMW ball-type bearing captured within a plastic housing which carries the download of the rudder (with the use of a rudder collar installed above). This all plastic design is self lubricating. It eliminates metal-to-metal contact and the problems of abrasion, electrolysis and corrosion.
Product Installation
The following is the installation procedure for the URB-LP. Start at step # 1 for retrofitting to an existing installation. Start at step # 4 for new construction.
- Block up the rudder securely.
- Remove steering arm and rudder collar from the rudder stock.
- Remove the existing rudder bearing.
- Cut or enlarge the hole in the rudder shelf to allow the body of the URB-LP to fit through. The URB-LP may be used as a template.
- For FRP or wood shelves: with the bearing in place, apply FRP lamination around the body of the bearing if it protrudes from beneath the shelf. Or an appropriate length of FRP tube may be laminated in place. For metal shelves: weld or screw a metal sleeve to the underside of the shelf sufficient to support any length of protruding URB-LP.
- * Alternately, for any type of shelf, a Tides Marine URB-LP Support Ring may be used beneath the shelf.
- Using the holes in the bearing flange as a template, tap or drill through the shelf.
- If metal or FRP tube has been added under the shelf, use a thickened resin or similarproduct to coat the inside of the tube and the outside of the URB-LP body sufficiently to fill any gap.
- Position the bearing. Wipe off any excess resin. Make sure none has gone inside the bearing.
- Fasten the URB-LP flange securely to the shelf using the appropriate mechanical fasteners with washers on top of the flange. If a Tides Marine Support Ring is used, washers should also be used on the underside of it. Backing plates may be used instead of washers for added security.
- Install the rudder collar and steering arm on top of the URB-LP. A washer or spacer may be used to adjust the height.
- Remove the blocking from the rudder and verify that the rudder moves freely.
Before Ordering
Before placing your order there are several measurements which must be taken/confirmed: Using a caliper or micrometer, find the exact diameter of your rudder stock "A"(.000 in.). Bronze stock may run slightly under nominal. If necessary, Tides will size the bearing hole accordingly. Contact Tides Engineering with measurements. Find the corresponding stock size from the table below. Confirm that there is enough height between the shelf and the deck for installation- generally 1-1/2 X the overall unit height "B". Confirm that there is sufficient area for cutting the clearance hole for the barrel "C" and clearance for the overall diameter of the unit "D". Also, check the position and mounted height of the other steering components to determine if any adjustment will be necessary. Dimension "E" is the height above the rudder shelf where the bottom of the rudder collar will be and "F" is the center-to-center distance between mounting bolts. If the steering gear is blocked up above the rudder shelf, the URB-STD configuration may be a better choice.
Specifications (dimensions in inches)
| RUDDER STOCK SIZE | O.A. HEIGHT | HOLE DIA. | O.A. DIA | FLANGE HT. | BOLT CTR. | # BOLTS | PART NUMBER |
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | - |
| 1" | 2" | 4 1/2" | 6 1/2" | 3/4 | 5 1/2" | 6 | URB-LP-1000 |
| 1 1/4" | 2" | 4 1/2" | 6 1/2" | 3/4" | 5 1/2" | 6 | URB-LP-1250 |
| 1 3/8" | 2" | 4 1/2" | 6 1/2" | 3/4 | 5 1/2" | 6 | URB-LP-1375 |
| 1 1/2" | 2" | 4 1/2" | 6 1/2" | 3/4" | 5 1/2" | 6 | URB-LP-1500 |
| 1 3/4" | 2" | 4 1/2" | 6 1/2" | 3/4 | 5 1/2" | 6 | URB-LP-1750 |
| 2" | 2 9/16" | 5 1/2" | 7 1/2" | 1" | 6 1/2" | 6 | URB-LP-2000 |
| 2 1/4" | 3" | 5 1/2" | 7 1/2" | 1 | 6 1/2" | 6 | URB-LP-2250 |
| 2 1/2" | 3 1/8" | 6 1/2" | 9" | 1 1/8" | 7 3/4" | 8 | URB-LP-2500 |
| 2 3/4" | 3 1/8" | 6 1/2" | 9" | 1 1/8" | 7 3/4" | 8 | URB-LP-2750 |
| 3" | 3 1/8" | 6 1/2" | 9" | 1 1/8" | 7 3/4" | 8 | URB-LP-3000 |
| 3 1/2" | 4" | 8" | 11" | 1 1/2" | 9 1/2" | 8 | URB-LP-3500 |
| 4" | 4 1/8" | 8" | 11" | 1 1/2" | 9 1/2" | 8 | URB-LP-4000 |
| 4 1/2" | 4 1/8" | 8" | 12" | 1 1/2" | 10 1/4" | 8 | URB-LP-4500 |
| 5" | 4 1/4" | 9" | 12 1/2" | 1 1/2" | 10 3/4" | 10 | URB-LP-5000 |
Contact us for more information on the Upper Rudder Bearing - LP
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Tides Marine 3251 SW 13th Dr. Suite A Deerfield Beach, Fl 33442
Tel: (800) 420-0949 Tel: (954) 420-0949 Fax: (954) 420-0945
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