How on earth? (shaft packing)

[sjames]

So I have a 2006 SANTE. How on earth do you get to the shaft packing? I can't see anything? Has anyone changed this on this v-drive boat? Pics, diagrams etc?

[Red57Bird]

I have a steady leak in the boat and I figured it was the prop shaft packing. Turns out it is in one of the cooling hoses, but I did start to look at the shaft log. What a pain!!!!!!! I replaced my hard ballast tanks with bags, so I have better access. I heard that others with SANs remove the entire rear seat in order to get the best access. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to replace the packing.

[WakeSlayer]

The likelihood of a 2006 needing new packing is slim to none. It will normally need just a tightening. When you have the boat laid up in the off season, get a couple wrenches the proper size, and make sure you can crack the jam nut loose. That will be the biggest problem, just figuring out how to get at it. In order to adjust you really need to be ready to re-adjust on the water if you get it too tight, or too loose. You want 4-6 drips per minute.
I have never touched my SAN's packing. My friend with the twin SAN has 1500 hours on it. His needs to be tightened, but his jam nut is stuck. We are going to get the correct wrenches and give it a go this fall. SkiDim sells a nut wrench, but I am not positive that it is the right size. You could also have someone make you wrenches out of 1/8" to 1/4" aluminum. You need two.

http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=WRENCH

[ronskal]

So I have a 2006 SANTE. How on earth do you get to the shaft packing? I can't see anything? Has anyone changed this on this v-drive boat? Pics, diagrams etc?

Maybe all you need to do is tighten the gland nut up a little.

I know Nautique has been using dripless shafts for a long time, are you certain your's has the old style?

If yours is the old style with the packing, your best bet is to buy the special wrenches from Discount Inboard Marine and clear-out the area so you can fit in there.

[ronskal]

OK, Wakeslayer beat me to the punch-line!

[WakeSlayer]

I think you should take a caliper to the nuts before you buy the wrenches from DIM. I bought two, and they do not fit my wife's Mustang, nor my SN. And I guarantee you can get your local welder to make them cheaper and the correct size if these are not. If I remember, I will check mine in a few weeks and post back.

[NicksNautique's]

Nightmare.

I have just done this on my 06 210. The easiest/quickest way is to remove the entire backseat and base three nuts and two rubber t bars and seat out. From here it gets tough but essentially you have to get access in through either side of the gear box from one side you will have limited movement but access to the shaft. A couple of wrenches later two loops of packing and my constant drip/bilge problem was fixed will just need sweetened at the end of season when the packing has bedded in. Cut fingers and knuckles and cramped space but very doable!!
Good luck.

Took me about 45mins from start to finish having only done my ski 196 before.

[WakeSlayer]

What size are the nuts ? What did you use for wrenches?

[NicksNautique's]

Wakeslayer, they are about 28-30mm i used a large shifter and a stilson adjustable with a short arm.
Its a slow process but most of the turns can be completed by hand once the locking wire is removed and the initial lock of the nut is removed. A couple of wide adjustables will make it easier to work in around the shaft.

[WakeSlayer]

Wakeslayer, they are about 28-30mm

Ha. Was not considering that you were from Ireland. Doing the conversion to standard, that is well over an inch. SkiDIM's wrench is 7/8", or ~22mm.

[GC]

Ha. Was not considering that you were from Ireland. Doing the conversion to standard, that is well over an inch. SkiDIM's wrench is 7/8", or ~22mm.

On SkiDim's website it states that the wrench is 1 7/8".

[WakeSlayer]

oops. Of course it is. Far too early for me...... 43mm

[NicksNautique's]

Hey did you get the packing done on the gland yet??

[sjames]

Thanks for all the feedback after our last season run I am not going to give it a try. I assume by remove the back seat people mean the center back cushion? I have the stadium sear so that pops out but beyond that I think I need to go in from a ballast tank side and do some YOGA.

[wake_fun]

oops. Of course it is. Far too early for me...... 43mm

1.875" = 47.625mm