How on earth? (shaft packing)

[DanielC]

I would think the entire back seat is removable. After all, when the boat was being put together the first time, at the factory, at some point, there was no back seat in the boat.

I was also under the impression the V-drive boats used a dripless shaft seal that did not use a packing, because it is such a pain to change it.

[WakeSlayer]

1.875" = 47.625mm

<sigh> Clearly re-inforces my point I made at the time. You are correct.

Nonetheless, do we yet know what size the nuts are on said SAN shaft?


My 99 definitely does not have dripless.

[Red57Bird]

I would think the entire back seat is removable. After all, when the boat was being put together the first time, at the factory, at some point, there was no back seat in the boat.

I was also under the impression the V-drive boats used a dripless shaft seal that did not use a packing, because it is such a pain to change it.

Correct, the entire seat is completely removable and is the best way to get the most room possible. The dripless gland was an option on all boats at least up until the 2005 model year, where it may have become a standard in 2006 - I wasn't able to find that out. I have an 03 SAN and I have the traditional packing gland. Not looking forward to the day I have to replace/adjust the packing.

[NicksNautique's]

My 06 210 does not have the dripless packing and they eventually fail anyway!!

Just much more expensive to replace.

I.m gonna do my friends seal this weekend so i will post some pics on this thread. Hopefully no one will mind the cut fingers and bruised knuckles from squeezing in around the shaft!

[ers906]

Has anyone had the dripless packing fail? Would the first sign be water in the bilge?

[Red57Bird]

Has anyone had the dripless packing fail? Would the first sign be water in the bilge?

There is a definite lifespan on these, and the biggest issue is that you have to remove the prop shaft to replace.

[ers906]

How can you tell if it is failing?

[Red57Bird]

How can you tell if it is failing?

I checked the web site and while the carbon flange shouldn't ever need to be replaced, they sell a maint. kit that includes a new bellows, o-rings, set screws and clamps. It states that the maint. kit should be used every 6 years. You'll definitely need to disconnect the prop shaft to replace these components.

I'm guessing that a sign of failure would be leaking in/around the flange.

[ers906]

Is anyone pre-emptively changing these components out, or are people just doing it as need be? I have a 2002, but not seeing any leaking into the bilge (at least any that I am identifying as anything other than just some splash while surfing.

[WakeSlayer]

Is anyone pre-emptively changing these components out, or are people just doing it as need be? I have a 2002, but not seeing any leaking into the bilge (at least any that I am identifying as anything other than just some splash while surfing.

There is no reason to unless your packing rope is shot. If it leaks, adjust it so it only let's 4-6 drips per minute. I swear the packing on our 68 was original until I re-did the entire boat two winters ago.