how to remove rudder packing glands

[albinalaska]

i almost have the second bearing removed. my plan is to move ahead with replacing the bearings but keeping the current housing. the cuts on the bottom of the retaining ring don’t appear to affect its ability to retain the ring. the knick in the chamber is below the packing and i will monitor it and make decisions for replacement pending any issues there. i found one place in the country who had bearings the size i require in stock so i am still waiting to discover if it does fit or not. i’ll post more photos as i get into those steps. cheers!

 

[CharlieO.]

i almost have the second bearing removed. my plan is to move ahead with replacing the bearings but keeping the current housing. the cuts on the bottom of the retaining ring don’t appear to affect its ability to retain the ring. the knick in the chamber is below the packing and i will monitor it and make decisions for replacement pending any issues there. i found one place in the country who had bearings the size i require in stock so i am still waiting to discover if it does fit or not. i’ll post more photos as i get into those steps. cheers!

If you have trouble finding what you need I’d recommend contacting R.E. Thomas,, they may be able to build what you need.
I am just a satisfied customer.

 

[albinalaska]

just some updates to this project: got the old bearings out! i ordered 1.5” x 2 3/8” x 6” bearing which was cut in half at a machine shop in town.

it was stressful work but i was able to get the new bearings in with some dish soap after freezing them for a couple of days in the deep freezer. the interference fit played a mind game on me because i wasn’t sure i ordered the right size bearing but apparently i did!

 

[Mac2]

Well done! That has to be satisfying.

 

[Comodave]

Yes, I froze our new cutlass bearings before we installed them. Worked beautifully.

 

[‘75 Tolly]

Yes, I froze our new cutlass bearings before we installed them. Worked beautifully.

I cut out our old (a lot of free play) cutlass bearings with a hacksaw. Was then able to gently tap in new Duramax bearing with brass hammer.

 

[Wtrguy]

It looks like 5-6 wraps correct? I was told that 3-4 is standard. I suppose more is better, just curious if it is normal to do as many as possible?

Is it best to use "wraps" with the packing? I've always bevel cut individual rings and stacked them alternating the joints. Seem much easier to just wrap it to the top. Which way is correct?

 

[Comodave]

Is it best to use "wraps" with the packing? I've always bevel cut individual rings and stacked them alternating the joints. Seem much easier to just wrap it to the top. Which way is correct?

You do not want one continuous wrap. The water will follow the spiral around and leak in. You want how ever many layers that will fit. But cut them as separate wraps once arounf the shaft.

 

[Comodave]

I cut out our old (a lot of free play) cutlass bearings with a hacksaw. Was then able to gently tap in new Duramax bearing with brass hammer.

This was on our prop shafts and the shafts were still in at the time.

 

[albinalaska]

should the packing go in after i bring the rudders back up and in place? i do plan on doing 5-6 separate wraps, offset and cut at angles. i’ll follow up as this gets finished!

 

[Comodave]

Yes. After the rudder is in place you insert the packing one layer at a time and yes do stagger the joints. To insert the packing I take a piece of PVC with an ID the same as the OD of the rudder shaft. Then rip it lengthwise so you have 2 pieces that will go on the shaft on each side. Then put a layer of packing around the shaft and use the 2 pieces of PVC pipe to push it down around the shaft. Keep putting in layers until it is full. Install the top fitting and nut. Snug it down but not very tight. After you launch they will likely be leaking. Tighten up the nut slowly until it just stops leaking and no more. You want to have some tightening ability left in case it starts leaking.

 

[Wtrguy]

I typically end up a little long when cutting each ring because I'm terrified of being short. This usually results in having to trim each ring a couple of time to sneak up on the proper length. I prefer to have too much packing and a nice snug fit than too little and any slop.
And as Comodave said, gentle & even on snugging up the packing gland. I've seen those snap right in half by getting too tight or uneven. Particularly older glands that have lost some material over the years.

 

[albinalaska]

Yes. After the rudder is in place you insert the packing one layer at a time and yes do stagger the joints. To insert the packing I take a piece of PVC with an ID the same as the OD of the rudder shaft. Then rip it lengthwise so you have 2 pieces that will go on the shaft on each side. Then put a layer of packing around the shaft and use the 2 pieces of PVC pipe to push it down around the shaft. Keep putting in layers until it is full. Install the top fitting and nut. Snug it down but not very tight. After you launch they will likely be leaking. Tighten up the nut slowly until it just stops leaking and no more. You want to have some tightening ability left in case it starts leaking.

helpful! thanks for your input!

 

[Comodave]

I lay the new packing around the shaft and cut it with a new blade in my utility knife.