Replacing Packing on Drive Shaft

[GMayes33]

Here is a website that gives a description and pictures of how to repack your drive shaft.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/s...box&page=1

Good luck. I have not done the repack myself yet, but i am going to later tonight. So I cannot say yet whether it was helpful or not, but it looks like it makes it pretty easy to understand.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Replacing Packing on Drive Shaft

That is a good set of instructions. I have not seen the 45* angle cut before. That is intersesting. Do make sure you cut while wrapped around the shaft or an exact circumference jig. I think you will want three rings in yours. You want 6-10 drops per minute. Just slightly over hand tight. Check it after an hour or two of running.

[GMayes33]

RE: Replacing Packing on Drive Shaft

I installed the new packing tonight and it was as easy as the instructions. I got the drip to about 10 times per minute when in gear, although i only ran it for about 30 mins or so. That little pick tool was very helpful, not sure how I would have gotten it out if I had not had that. I took a peice of ceiling grid wire and made a little pick out of it. I was able to get the 3 rings in and I did cut them at the 45* angle as the instructions said. I used the GORE GFO (sp) and used a brand new utility blade and had no trouble cutting through. I think it took me about an hour and a half to do, although i was talking with other people that were out skiing while doing it. The only problem I was not sure of... there is a little coupler right above the stuffing box, that has two pins that can be taken out and the sleeve moved up. There was some type of silicone or something on that coupler. Does that coupler need have anything around it? I wasn't quite sure what its function was except for the fact that it would maybe be some sort of safety feature to keep that nut from sliding up the shaft into the motor in the case the safety wire broke the nut came lose.

[thedude]

RE: Replacing Packing on Drive Shaft

How do you know when you need to replace the packing? When you get more than 10 drops/min while in gear?

[NigelC]

Re: RE: Replacing Packing on Drive Shaft

How do you know when you need to replace the packing? When you get more than 10 drops/min while in gear?

You will know because you frequently need to keep adjusting the gland. I did mine last season and it's been fine ever since. Make sure you have some new lockwire before you start.