stuffing box

[charlie palumbo]

Hello all,
While I realize most of you are in the water, I thought I would share with you some notes on repacking your stuffing box. First, let me say that while it can be done in the water, it is not for the faint of heart as quite a bit of water will come gushing in through the disconnected coupling until you temporarily plug it up. Unless absolutely necessary, it should be done while on the hard.
Contrary to what I have read it appears easier to take the old flax packing out than it is to put the new packing in. You must use a packing extractor,which looks like a corkscrew on a flexible shaft and is approximately 5-6 inches long. Once the spiral screw like hook grabs the packing, a little pulling left to right, will easily extract a piece of packing enabling you to pull out that ring.
I think the best way to repack with flax, is to have the rings precut as long as you know the diameter of your shaft. Thoroughly Dip each ring in teflon grease before repacking. It is a bit difficult even with the grease, but near impossible without it.as yet, I have not found the ideal tool to push the packing back in, a screwdriver is what I use. slowly rotate the gland and knead in the packing as best as you can with the screwdriver....at times you have to pur a little pressure on the screwdriver as the area is unbelievably tight. After repacking the first ring, take a small break, you will need it after being in one of the most awkward positions you will ever want yo be in. After the first ring is in screw the gland down enough that you have room to insert the next ring. Unscrew the coupling and place in ring two. Two rings will get you by...three is better. Each ring should be staggered, they say 120 degrees. While this is good, it is difficult to do, unless you mark or tape and label the coupling after each ring. After you do this, run home and soak yourself in a hot bath or shower, believe me it will help with the soreness you will feel the next day. hope this helps when the time comes.....Charlie



jcp1347@gateway.net

[Larry DeMers]

Charlie,

Good description! My wife and I tackled the rudder's packing gland a few weekends ago. She extracted the darn old stuff..heck, it was absolutely dry flax, never ever changed in 18 years time..and only one course too. Then I got in there and installed the teflon gooped rings of flax. An easy way to size these rings is to put them around the shaft, overlapping the turn a little. Cut the ring at an angle..the two ends should fit together tightly.

We found that we could put in 3 layers of the teflon coated flax..I think it was 3/16th in. width material..although to be honest I would have to consult my log, as we had 3 sizes in the tool box.

Your comments about the position and pretzel bending you have to go through is true..heh. Thank God for my wifes help..or it would have been a lot tougher to complete.

So now we are on the water, and man o man is that steering smooth!!!
Previously, the steering would squeak once in a while, until it got wet from the boat squatting a little. Now it is like it has roller bearings. This should be the last work done for many years, except for small adjustments for wear.

Cheers!

Larry Demers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

Hello all,
While I realize most of you are in the water, I thought I would share with you some notes on repacking your stuffing box. First, let me say that while it can be done in the water, it is not for the faint of heart as quite a bit of water will come gushing in through the disconnected coupling until you temporarily plug it up. Unless absolutely necessary, it should be done while on the hard.
Contrary to what I have read it appears easier to take the old flax packing out than it is to put the new packing in. You must use a packing extractor,which looks like a corkscrew on a flexible shaft and is approximately 5-6 inches long. Once the spiral screw like hook grabs the packing, a little pulling left to right, will easily extract a piece of packing enabling you to pull out that ring.
I think the best way to repack with flax, is to have the rings precut as long as you know the diameter of your shaft. Thoroughly Dip each ring in teflon grease before repacking. It is a bit difficult even with the grease, but near impossible without it.as yet, I have not found the ideal tool to push the packing back in, a screwdriver is what I use. slowly rotate the gland and knead in the packing as best as you can with the screwdriver....at times you have to pur a little pressure on the screwdriver as the area is unbelievably tight. After repacking the first ring, take a small break, you will need it after being in one of the most awkward positions you will ever want yo be in. After the first ring is in screw the gland down enough that you have room to insert the next ring. Unscrew the coupling and place in ring two. Two rings will get you by...three is better. Each ring should be staggered, they say 120 degrees. While this is good, it is difficult to do, unless you mark or tape and label the coupling after each ring. After you do this, run home and soak yourself in a hot bath or shower, believe me it will help with the soreness you will feel the next day. hope this helps when the time comes.....Charlie

demers@sgi.com

[Bill]

I too just completed this chore and yes removal is a breeze. For installation of the new flax, I used a piece of PVC cut (two halves) to that it would fit around the shaft. I also used two halves placed above (motor side) of the packing glad to prevent it from moving. I then used the "lock nut/ring" and pressed each new piece of flax into place. I had done this before on my old boat, but forgotten how to do it. I was able to seat three "rounds" of flax fairly simply (if you consider the head stand as simple)....

I splashed today and will raise the stick this weekend.

Fair winds

Bill

Hello all,
While I realize most of you are in the water, I thought I would share with you some notes on repacking your stuffing box. First, let me say that while it can be done in the water, it is not for the faint of heart as quite a bit of water will come gushing in through the disconnected coupling until you temporarily plug it up. Unless absolutely necessary, it should be done while on the hard.
Contrary to what I have read it appears easier to take the old flax packing out than it is to put the new packing in. You must use a packing extractor,which looks like a corkscrew on a flexible shaft and is approximately 5-6 inches long. Once the spiral screw like hook grabs the packing, a little pulling left to right, will easily extract a piece of packing enabling you to pull out that ring.
I think the best way to repack with flax, is to have the rings precut as long as you know the diameter of your shaft. Thoroughly Dip each ring in teflon grease before repacking. It is a bit difficult even with the grease, but near impossible without it.as yet, I have not found the ideal tool to push the packing back in, a screwdriver is what I use. slowly rotate the gland and knead in the packing as best as you can with the screwdriver....at times you have to pur a little pressure on the screwdriver as the area is unbelievably tight. After repacking the first ring, take a small break, you will need it after being in one of the most awkward positions you will ever want yo be in. After the first ring is in screw the gland down enough that you have room to insert the next ring. Unscrew the coupling and place in ring two. Two rings will get you by...three is better. Each ring should be staggered, they say 120 degrees. While this is good, it is difficult to do, unless you mark or tape and label the coupling after each ring. After you do this, run home and soak yourself in a hot bath or shower, believe me it will help with the soreness you will feel the next day. hope this helps when the time comes.....Charlie

cd25d@rhapsodysails.com