I'm in the process of repacking my stuffing box and have run into a snag. I am unable to remove the old packing. I bought one of those "special" tools and while trying to pull the old packing the tool failed. The old packing (flax) is solidly embedded in the nut. Any tricks out there or helpful advice to make the job easier?
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Here's how...
Spray WD-40 inside and let soften up overnight. If still stuck, use a drill to penetrate and turn the shaft. Stuffing box best replaced on the hards, not in the water REMOVAL Unscrew thin brass jam nut to free up big one Unscrew big brass nut completely. Spray WD-40 inside to loosen up flax. Turn corkscrew pick into first layer, pull Vise Grip offers better leverage Repeat until all layers removed 2 if was chinzy, 3 more likely Clear out brass seating of any loose debris so new flax sits well INSTALL Buy 13 inches Teflon 1/4 inch to cut into three pieces Cut the end at 45 degrees to dovetail with next cut, 45 degrees Turn first wrap tight, mark with blade (or do at home with 1-inch stanchion) Cut with share razor knife or Dremel saw Cut remaining 2 wraps to same size Poke first one in clockwise by turning big nut slowly Mark where it started with red pen Screw down onto shaft to pack, by hand only Loosen and repeat two more times Do not overtighten, or will burn flax and not seat properly TEST When launch, be prepared to tighten using wrench keep jam nut loose Should be no drips at rest, do not overtighten In gear, should be no more than 1-3 drops per minute preferably none Optimum is no drips in gear “1-3 is an old wives tale,” says Fred at Yard Tighten one flat at a time while in gear If the big nut is warm, back off as too tight burning the flax (unlikely) Always retighten the jam cleat to avoid inadvertent loosening When it’s right, try a day or week later takes time, be patient Check again for three weeks then three months later Should last three or four years okay to tighten one flat a time, over time
Spray WD-40 inside and let soften up overnight. If still stuck, use a drill to penetrate and turn the shaft. Stuffing box best replaced on the hards, not in the water REMOVAL Unscrew thin brass jam nut to free up big one Unscrew big brass nut completely. Spray WD-40 inside to loosen up flax. Turn corkscrew pick into first layer, pull Vise Grip offers better leverage Repeat until all layers removed 2 if was chinzy, 3 more likely Clear out brass seating of any loose debris so new flax sits well INSTALL Buy 13 inches Teflon 1/4 inch to cut into three pieces Cut the end at 45 degrees to dovetail with next cut, 45 degrees Turn first wrap tight, mark with blade (or do at home with 1-inch stanchion) Cut with share razor knife or Dremel saw Cut remaining 2 wraps to same size Poke first one in clockwise by turning big nut slowly Mark where it started with red pen Screw down onto shaft to pack, by hand only Loosen and repeat two more times Do not overtighten, or will burn flax and not seat properly TEST When launch, be prepared to tighten using wrench keep jam nut loose Should be no drips at rest, do not overtighten In gear, should be no more than 1-3 drops per minute preferably none Optimum is no drips in gear “1-3 is an old wives tale,” says Fred at Yard Tighten one flat at a time while in gear If the big nut is warm, back off as too tight burning the flax (unlikely) Always retighten the jam cleat to avoid inadvertent loosening When it’s right, try a day or week later takes time, be patient Check again for three weeks then three months later Should last three or four years okay to tighten one flat a time, over time
Teflon Impreg. Flax
Follow those directions but use Teflon impregnated flax. Lasts longer w/o replacing.
Follow those directions but use Teflon impregnated flax. Lasts longer w/o replacing.
packing removal
I tried using the tools, was more work than it was worth. went to HD or Lowes and bought a pick set. reached in there and it came right out. have a 78 hunter, org packing I'm sure was the orginal. put in teflon... the screw type removal tool everyone keeps talking about did nothing for me but tighten up the packing and make it harder to remove..was very easy with the pick set
I tried using the tools, was more work than it was worth. went to HD or Lowes and bought a pick set. reached in there and it came right out. have a 78 hunter, org packing I'm sure was the orginal. put in teflon... the screw type removal tool everyone keeps talking about did nothing for me but tighten up the packing and make it harder to remove..was very easy with the pick set
Visual aid to repacking the shaft
This site is very good in my opinion...Hope it helps http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box&page=1
This site is very good in my opinion...Hope it helps http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box&page=1
John...
If your Packing gland is the plastic one that came with many Hunters there are 2 plastic washers in there. One is in-between the rings of packing material and the other one is forward of all the packing rings. You may be trying to corkscrew into this washer, not the packing material. My previous boat was an '87 H28.5 and had this plastic gland. I replaced it. I know of at least 2 other 28.5's and one H31? of that generation (late 80's)that had this plastic gland. Tom s/v Orion's Child
If your Packing gland is the plastic one that came with many Hunters there are 2 plastic washers in there. One is in-between the rings of packing material and the other one is forward of all the packing rings. You may be trying to corkscrew into this washer, not the packing material. My previous boat was an '87 H28.5 and had this plastic gland. I replaced it. I know of at least 2 other 28.5's and one H31? of that generation (late 80's)that had this plastic gland. Tom s/v Orion's Child
thanks to all
Tom, I have a bronze unit but thanks for the advice re: plastic nut. Steve, I've ordered a hook and pick set and, hopefully, will have success similar to yours. John
Tom, I have a bronze unit but thanks for the advice re: plastic nut. Steve, I've ordered a hook and pick set and, hopefully, will have success similar to yours. John
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