Removing Shaft from flange on Universal M-25

[Hayden Watson]

8 years ago after many years of multiple attempts to remove the flange, I finally used an angle grinder to cut the flange off so that at least I could save the shaft. I then took it to a shaft shop to get a new flange fitted and face. They told me that the bronze shaft had a bow and was out of spec. Oh well.
I now have a nice SS shaft with a split flange and last year removed it to install a new dripless packing.

 

[Hayden Watson]

I was lever happy with the thought of needing to replace the bellows on the PSS and the possibility of a ruptured bellows sinking the boat so never considered them an option. Last year I found out about the Lasdrop DrySeal Lip Seal dripless packing and install that. Very happy. Instead of bellows it has a reinforced heavy silicone shaft log and I have two of the lip seals preinstalled on the shaft. This will allow me to replace them twice without pulling the boat from the water. So far, I am very happy and have not gotten a drop of water from the shaft. At $175 it was a great price as well.

One of the things I dislike the most about all face seals lke the PSS and LasDrops Elite seal is the fine print that says that the seal must be rotated at least monthly to avoid crevice pitting. I like to use my boat aften but there are always times when I am not out there monthly.

 

[jviss]

Random thought: I think the shaft on my Tartan is Monel. Anyone have a Monel shaft? Opinions versus bronze, stainless steel?