Proper Wrench for Stuffing Box Maintenance

[tfox2069]

I tried some of the solutions here, with limited results. I was always worried about rounding the nuts, which are softer than all of the adjustable tools mentioned here, which often slip a time or two when the nuts are frozen, which is often the case. Instead I bought the right tool for the job, which I found at Catalina Direct (link below). The wrenches are thin - like the packing nuts - and fit perfectly, so no rounding or slipping. And +1 on soaking with PBBlaster first, and then clean up the threads and lanolin them for next time. Access to each boat's stuffing box is different, so these may not work for everyone, but for me they make the job easy.

Stuffing Box Wrench Set, 1-7/8" (catalinadirect.com)

EDIT: SBO also offers "Packing Box Wrenches" but I was never able to find them until now. Shameless plug for them: Buck Algonquin Packing Box Wrenches (sailboatowners.com)

 

[Alan Gomes]

I tried some of the solutions here, with limited results. I was always worried about rounding the nuts, which are softer than all of the adjustable tools mentioned here, which often slip a time or two when the nuts are frozen, which is often the case. Instead I bought the right tool for the job, which I found at Catalina Direct (link below). The wrenches are thin - like the packing nuts - and fit perfectly, so no rounding or slipping. And +1 on soaking with PBBlaster first, and then clean up the threads and lanolin them for next time. Access to each boat's stuffing box is different, so these may not work for everyone, but for me they make the job easy.

Stuffing Box Wrench Set, 1-7/8" (catalinadirect.com)

Just be careful when using PB Blaster to avoid the transmission seals. (This may have already been mentioned but is worth repeating.)

 

[odaydokay]

I can get any of these wrenches on my SB, but cannot get any mechanical leverage down (lying in quarter berth and reaching over) there so I always wind up just tapping the protruding edges with a hammer to loosen and re-tighten. Has worked for past 25 years on this boat, but I can't say I look forward to the experience.

 

[TimFromLI]

Have you tried a crowfoot wrench, I had success with them.

 

[Monterey385]

Have you tried a crowfoot wrench, I had success with them.
View attachment 195947View attachment 195947

How do these work … they look interesting and space efficient but I couldn’t figure out what I need to combine them with.

 

[TimFromLI]

They work with a conventional 3/8" or 1/2" socket extension bar and ratchet. They are great for tight places. I never had enough space to get a conventional wrench on the nuts.

 

[Tally Ho]

You just use a square drive…

 

[Monterey385]

Do you think I’d be able to navigate two 2.25” crowfoot wrenches down into this area? I have to hang over the top where I've taken the picture ... there is no direct lateral access ... its about a 1.5 ft to 2 ft drop from the top edge of the covering cabinet down to the stuffing box.

It’s literally the only maintenance item that wasn’t brilliantly engineered by Catalina (not to mention I’ve got to lose 40lbs).

 

[Maine Sail]

It depends on your stuffing box…flat sided nuts can easily be adjusted with the plumbers wrench that @jssailem referenced.

but my stuffing box does not have a flat sided nut…
View attachment 195830
so that wrench is pretty useless to me.

I use a small pipe wrench or a pair of channel locks.
So, yes size matters, but also the right tool for the job, which in this case means for the specific stuffing box nut you have.


Greg

It appears you have a Spartan Marine stuffing box. They make specific wrenches for this box....

 

[RoyS]

Short open end service wrenches with appropriate pipe extensions and a two pound hammer should work. Even short feeble swings on a hammer should loosen that lock nut. The threads will likely not be binding. Once you break that locknut free with the wrench, pipe extension, and a few hammer blows to the pipe extension everything should turn freely with your fingers. Most likely when the assembly was last serviced it was tightened by hand with difficulty and probably without much torque. Hammer wins that contest. Lastly schedule an appointment with a chiropractor.

Edit: I forgot to mention that you will need to apply a counter torque when you are hammering to loosen. Maybe brace the counter wrench with a wooden block against the hull. Patience.

 

[jssailem]

Hammer wins that contest.

Spoken like a true sailor. Mechanics 101. When in doubt get a hammer. If that doesn’t work get a bigger one.

 

[Tally Ho]

It appears you have a Spartan Marine stuffing box. They make specific wrenches for this box....

Well, I learn something every day!

I am not sure I want to spend $72 for the wrenches, but it looks like a nice set.

 

[rpwillia]

I am not sure I want to spend $72 for the wrenches, but it looks like a nice set.

I'd buy the spanners and save myself the grief.

For regular nuts, I made my own, but it was a bit of a personal challenge I had time to do (plus the idea of getting that monkey wrench and adjustable spanner off my boat was key). The adjustable spanner like any adjustable wrench was piss poor to use.

I have seen some of these stuffing box wrenches for $59 a set which is pretty decent, IMHO. Some even have 3/8" square openings so you can get a ratchet or breaker bar on them if need be. The only one you really need the wrench for is the lock nut.

 

[Michael Davis]

For regular nuts, I made my own,

Me too. Mine are two different sizes. Used 1/4 in. aluminum plate so as to be softer than the bronze nuts.