Stuffing box replacement

I tried to search this topic with no luck.

Is it possible to change the stuffing box without removing the rudder? I know I need to get the shaft back a few inches to get the coupler off. Thanks

Is it possible to drop the rudder without removing the tank? It looks like a bitch to get to.

gun-driver wrote: I think I would drop the strut before going through the hassle of dropping the rudder.

this sounds way harder

OK thanks for the help.

Strega51 wrote: Does the shaft coupler usually have to be heated to remove the shaft?

Dave,
No, it doesn't work for removing the coupling half. Both the coupling and shaft would heat up together so there wouldn't be any benefit from thermal expansion. Fine threaded rod about 6" in length between the two coupling halves and then a spacer smaller than the prop shaft diameter is used between the prop shaft and the trans output shaft works. There's a thread on it that I'll see if I can find. Heating the shaft coupling half is used for the install.

Here's one thread from a "google" search

Here's another using the long threaded rod and spacer

And a third that also talks about the ARE shaft system

Do check for shaft straightness especially aft of the strut. If bent, I highly recommend going to the ARE. Also if bent, it's easier to just cut the shaft just aft of the coupling rather than trying to reuse the old shaft.

BTW, why are your removing the shaft?? Bad worn stuffing box/gland from bad alignment??

lcgordon wrote: gun-driver wrote: I think I would drop the strut before going through the hassle of dropping the rudder. this sounds way harder

Hollywood wrote: Yea dont touch the strut. Rudder drop is far simpler

Depending on year if you have to remove the tank as on my '95 I find it much easier to drop the strut rather than pull the tank.
I don't see why everyone feels the strut is some kind of mysterious object attached to the bottom that can't or shouldn't be touched or moved. I've done several between my two boats and a friends and it's not that big of a deal to line back up. A lot easier than fighting the filler hose on the tank and everything else it takes getting to the rudder IMHO at least