# Removing the rudder post grease cup cover (and adding grease) **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** maintenance\ **Created:** [November 19, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281 "2025-11-19T18:21:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChipWilkerson](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/chipwilkerson/32/6952_2.png) [@ChipWilkerson](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/ChipWilkerson)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/1 "2025-10-16T17:22:21Z")
Hi All Any recommendations on what grease to use in the grease up? Thanks! Chip Wilkerson Moonshadow 33 #14 Barrington, RI ---
**Author:** ![ChipWilkerson](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/chipwilkerson/32/6952_2.png) [@ChipWilkerson](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/ChipWilkerson)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/2 "2025-10-16T18:27:39Z")
…typo below “…grease to use in the grease cup” ---
**Author:** ![Ward.Woodruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ward.Woodruff](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Ward.Woodruff)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/3 "2025-10-16T19:24:44Z")
Anything will likely work. A calcium based grease is best in saltwater. Not all greases labeled as marine grease are calcium based. Ward Woodruff N33 #8 Margery Niantic Bay, CT ---
**Author:** ![Joesail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@Joesail](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Joesail)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/4 "2025-10-17T17:29:24Z")
I use ordinary automobile waterproof grease. Joe Valinoti S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221 Sea Harbour YC Oriental, NC USA ```auto ``` ---
**Author:** ![CAKEWALKIII](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/cakewalkiii/32/749_2.png) [@CAKEWALKIII](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/CAKEWALKIII)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/5 "2025-11-02T13:38:30Z")
Hi Chip, Apologies for the delayed input… If you have an actual grease ‘cup’ still in place, you may want to consider removing it and replacing the cup with a Zerk fitting. The cup can be un-threaded from the rudder post tube, and the Zerk fitting can be threaded in… it is that easy if you get the correct size Zerk. When I did this years ago I bought the Zerk fitting at NAPA Auto Parts… was very inexpensive - a few $'s for a pack of 4 or 5… only needed 1, but they didn’t have single pieces at the time. With the Zerk it is much easier to get grease (using a grease gun) to the rudder post, than filling and turning a grease cup. You know you have a sufficent amount of grease surrounding the rudder post when is begins to appear at the top of the rudder post housing. Move the rudder back and forth (stop to stop) while injecting the grease to ensure even distribution. If you search for Zerk Fitting in the discussion group you may find some additional information/photos to help guide you. Peter Grabow S/V CAKE WALK III 1987 30U 430 Stamford, CT ---
**Author:** ![Christian\_Pastore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Christian\_Pastore](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Christian_Pastore)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/6 "2025-11-19T18:21:49Z")
Greetings all. Does anyone know how to remove the cover from the rudder post grease cup? I have a 22 but a review of the manuals on the INA website suggests that all the Nonsuches have the same greasecap. I assume that it is either threaded or just a pressure fit but I cannot tell from looking at it. Before I start cranking with pliers I thought I should ask. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![NS233\_Bob\_Neches](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/ns233_bob_neches/32/120_2.png) [@NS233\_Bob\_Neches](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/NS233_Bob_Neches)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/7 "2025-11-19T19:58:01Z")
Just to be safe, would you mind posting a picture? Some people have grease cups, some have them replaced with Zerk fittings. – Bob ---
**Author:** ![PaulM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/paulm/32/59_2.png) [@PaulM](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/PaulM)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/8 "2025-11-19T20:25:00Z")
The lid is threaded on and the base is threaded into the shaft tube. ---
**Author:** ![Christian\_Pastore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Christian\_Pastore](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Christian_Pastore)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/9 "2025-11-19T20:54:16Z")
Thank you very much Paul. That is consistent with what I see. ---
**Author:** ![mnerenhausen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mnerenhausen](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/mnerenhausen)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/10 "2025-11-19T22:34:36Z")
on my 30 Ultra the grease cup is missing from my rudder shaft and there is no zerk fitting, just an open threaded opening. Can anyone tell me what size threaded fitting is needed to for that opening so I can install a zerk fitting ---
**Author:** ![Christian\_Pastore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Christian\_Pastore](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Christian_Pastore)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/11 "2025-11-19T23:03:30Z")
I did not think to post a picture. Silly. I will, but I don’t know when. I’m a 90-minute drive from my boat so it won’t be right away. Thanks Bob! ---
**Author:** ![Breezin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/breezin/32/861_2.png) [@Breezin](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Breezin)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:21am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/12 "2025-11-20T01:21:55Z")
Hi, Go to the Google Groups Nonsuch website, look for a post by Peter Grabow, topic steering system, dated Mar 28/21. He posted photos of the zerk fitting he purchased. I replaced mine this past August, but cannot now find the receipt. I’m pretty sure it was the same size as the Peter Grabow used. Hope that helps, Don ---
**Author:** ![PaulM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/paulm/32/59_2.png) [@PaulM](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/PaulM)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/13 "2025-11-20T01:30:23Z")
My grease cup was threaded into fibreglass with a fine thread. It just came out when I tried to tighten the cap. I redrilled and tapped a bigger coarse thread and modified a brass fitting to accommodate the cup. If I ever feel the need to add grease I may revisit this but in the eight years I’ve had the boat I’ve never been able to add grease and never had the slightest stiffness in my rudder. ![20221023_133416_Original](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/1X/76851ed42e3fa41186b05441dedef97568138d37.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mnerenhausen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mnerenhausen](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/mnerenhausen)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:55am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/14 "2025-11-20T01:55:34Z")
thanks for the suggestion. I found the post. I think that might solve my problem Mark Nerenhausen 30U. Cloud Hidden New Bern, NC ---
**Author:** ![Ward.Woodruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ward.Woodruff](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Ward.Woodruff)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 2:57am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/15 "2025-11-20T02:57:32Z")
I believe the hole in the shaft is threaded to accept a 1/4” NPT zerk fitting. ---
**Author:** ![Procyon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@Procyon](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Procyon)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/16 "2025-11-22T16:20:46Z")
Is it possible that there is no grease cup or zerk fitting? I have crawled around in the lazarettes on both sides and I see no indications of either type. Blake Payette N33 Vancouver BC ---
**Author:** ![Breezin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/breezin/32/861_2.png) [@Breezin](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Breezin)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/removing-the-rudder-post-grease-cup-cover-and-adding-grease/2281/17 "2025-11-22T18:52:32Z")
Blake, see attached photo from Peter Grabow 2021 post I mentioned earlier. Zerk grease fitting circled in red. I doubt your boat doesn’t have a grease fitting, but can’t say for sure, I have a NS30U Don ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/1X/4983d9e05c4133a9fbf288cc603c854a503f928c.jpeg)