Stuffing Box Again

[lehighsail]

I was just at the boatyard getting ready to launch after changing out the packing in the stuffing box. Someone suggested that after placing the 3 rings of packing, most of the box should be filled with a marine grease and then tightened lightly. It won't leak, drip and the grease will keep the shaft cool and lubricated.

What do we think?

 

[Warren Milberg]

I guess it may depend on the type of packing gland material you use. I never found lubricating the innards of the gland was needed as I was using GTU Gore graphite packing that is already loaded with PTFE right out of the package. See:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west...haft-packing-2-length--P008224636?recordNum=2

 

[Terry Cox]

Agree with Warren. Never had the need to apply grease to the inside of the stuffing box. The PTFE material already has lubricate and even if you used some of the old style stuff, sea water was sufficient to lubricate the shaft.

 

[lehighsail]

I think what the guys were saying was that if you filled the box with grease, there would be no need to have the box drip for cooling and there would never be scoring of the shaft.

 

[bawlmer]

When I had to change my packing I researched the subject to death. Absolutely nowhere did I ever see anything about putting grease in your packing material. I say no.

 

[Dave Groshong]

Here's a link to MaineSail's great article on the subject:

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...-traditional-stuffing-box.125430/#post-775788

 

[Tally Ho]

I just reassembled my new SS shaft, new coupling, new stuffing box hose (but used the old stuffing box).

I used old-style flax packing which has a heavy wax-like material in the flax.

She is not in the water yet, but I am pretty convinced she will not leak more than a drop a minute or so. The packing package did note to use some proprietary lubricant on the shaft(not included and not sold at my ship store).

If this packing does not work well, I will switch to a PTFE impregnated material next time.

Greg