I have a 1986 Hunter 28.5 with the original white nylon stuffing box. I recently decided to check, or replace, the flax packing. When I unpinned and uscrewed the nut nearest the transmission, I could see (with a small mirror and flashlight) the packing washer (or whatever its called) which appears to compress the flax behind it in the gland when the nut is screwed down on it. No matter what I tried (pressing edges with small screw driver, using a piece of coat hanger, cork screw, etc.), I could not dislodge this washer in order to get to the flax. Those of you who have done this successfully, please tell me just how you got that washer to move back up the shaft exposing the flax? Thanks in advance.
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One way possibly.
My stuffing box is metal but I still think this applies. Remove the clamps around the hose at the back end. Slide the entire assembly toward the tranny. Now slide it back and hope that the flax grips the shaft and stays there with the washer. If it does not stick you might push it out from the back. This assumes you have enough shaft showing to move it far enough. Replace hose clamps with new, s/s of course. This won't work as well with the boat in the water.
My stuffing box is metal but I still think this applies. Remove the clamps around the hose at the back end. Slide the entire assembly toward the tranny. Now slide it back and hope that the flax grips the shaft and stays there with the washer. If it does not stick you might push it out from the back. This assumes you have enough shaft showing to move it far enough. Replace hose clamps with new, s/s of course. This won't work as well with the boat in the water.
I just did this on my H35.5
See the thread titled "repacking H35.5 stuffing box" from week or so ago (link below). To recap, I did roughly what Ed suggested and it worked. Basically undo the clamps and wiggle the whole box up (out of the hose) towards the engine. Go as far as you can. Then slide it back while wiggling and twisting. You are trying to make the washer bind on the shaft. On the second try the washer was left behind and the flax stayed in. I used a drywall screw to remove the flax. There was a metal ring between the two layers of flax that I got out with a little pick. Good luck. Jeff
See the thread titled "repacking H35.5 stuffing box" from week or so ago (link below). To recap, I did roughly what Ed suggested and it worked. Basically undo the clamps and wiggle the whole box up (out of the hose) towards the engine. Go as far as you can. Then slide it back while wiggling and twisting. You are trying to make the washer bind on the shaft. On the second try the washer was left behind and the flax stayed in. I used a drywall screw to remove the flax. There was a metal ring between the two layers of flax that I got out with a little pick. Good luck. Jeff
Put this in perspective...
Warren, take my advice and replace that nylon packing gland with a bronze one (or a packless type). My partner was in danger of sinking in a transient slip in Baltimore a couple years back because of the failure of the packing gland on our 1986 H-31. (Thank God for JB Weld!) So please stop fretting over how to repack this thing and either replace it yourself or have your favorite maintenance shop do it.
Warren, take my advice and replace that nylon packing gland with a bronze one (or a packless type). My partner was in danger of sinking in a transient slip in Baltimore a couple years back because of the failure of the packing gland on our 1986 H-31. (Thank God for JB Weld!) So please stop fretting over how to repack this thing and either replace it yourself or have your favorite maintenance shop do it.
Related thing
You can pick at the flax forever and not get it out if it's compacted severely. I have had success using a standard electric drill to drill through the flax at a fixed point such as 2 o'clock. Then turn the flat slightly and keep drilling. Soon you'll get a piece of the flax and can unravel the string successfully. Key is to cut through the flax to get a grip on it. Be careful not to bang up the shaft or the rest of the metal, that's why stay fixed at 2 o'clock.
You can pick at the flax forever and not get it out if it's compacted severely. I have had success using a standard electric drill to drill through the flax at a fixed point such as 2 o'clock. Then turn the flat slightly and keep drilling. Soon you'll get a piece of the flax and can unravel the string successfully. Key is to cut through the flax to get a grip on it. Be careful not to bang up the shaft or the rest of the metal, that's why stay fixed at 2 o'clock.
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