PPS Dripless shaft

[shogue1253]

On my Hunter 31, we started to notice a little water spraying from the dripless shaft. The metal yoke seems to be too far from the bladder. I know I can move the yoke a little closer to the bladder, but, am a little unsure if I should do this since I have had the boat for 5 years and this is the first I have noticed any leaking. I have a new seal and instructions as to how to install it, but would really like to avoid that if possible.
I would appreciate any and all comments.
Thanks
Sheila

 

[Rick D]

The shaft seal probably needs to be moved back to better compress the bellows. It is a quick job. Just be sure to follow their specific instructions for the piggy-back set screws (the instructions should be on line if you don't have them). You may want to consider using a collar (available from their site) to back-up the seal. Good luck.

 

[Marc14857]

As Rick said the collar probably shifted back and the set screws may have come loose. After you readjust it consider putting a hose clamp or a zinc about an 1/8 inch behind the collar. It serves two purposes, first it stops the collar from sliding all the way back resulting in a big leak and second you can periodically check the 1/8 inch gap to make sure the collar has not slipped.

 

[Don12364]

If it is not the shaft collar then maybe the engine has moved or has been moved a little.

The collar is screwed INTO the prop shaft using grub screws which will raise a burr on the shaft. As there are 'O' rings inside the collar be careful to not drag the collar fore and aft over any burrs raised by the grub screws or it will weep forever.

 

[rivettw]

shogue1253,
I have a 37' cutter with a 1" shaft and the same dripless seal you do. 6 months after install of new stainless shaft and seal , the stainless collar part of the seal had slipped back up the shaft about 1/4" and spraying. After talking to boat yard I loosened the double set of set screws, compressed the bellows 1/2" and reset the set screws to the stated torque. I then backed the seal collar up with a 1" stainless split collar ordered online (about 4 bucks). No more slipping.
Wally

 

[gmeyerga]

PSS Seal

I have the same problem; in spring I moved the collar as much as I
could to compress the bellows some more, and it seemed I had the problem solved. Now I get some spray again. The collar has not moved
because the gap to a tape on the shaft (instead of a hose clamp) has not
changed. The PSS man at the Annapolis Boat Show said that as the
bellows age they weaken. He recommended their replacement.
PSS apparently sells a replacment kit.

 

[BLIGHT]

Yes, PSS does recommend changing out the bellows, "O" rings, and setscrews every 5 years and to this point they offer a rebuild kit at a reasonable price. You will need to know your shaft size and shaft log diameter.

 

[SamLust]

Technique:

Ideally; position the collar where it needs to be, use the screws to mark the shaft, slide it back and file small chamfered flats onto the shaft. When you slide the collar the burrs will not cut the o-rings. When doing the final tightening of the grub screws (we here in the United States will have to make do with cup point set-screws) tighten the screw, break it free and then run it down tight again. Then run in the second lock screw. A wee bit of locktite probably wouldn't hurt either. I have never had a failure when doing it that way.