Stuffing Box

First try to tighten the large nuts (after loosening the jamb nuts). Do not tighten much, just a bit and see if the leak stops. A few drips a minute is ideal.

If you need to replace the flax rope, then I think the following is workable proceedure:

1. Cut any safety wiring and discard.
2. Loosen the jamb nut.
3. Remove the cap nut.
4. Using a pick/auger specially designed for the purpose or dental tools, dig out the old flax packing rope. Be careful so as not to scratch the rudder shaft or drive shaft in the process...or the side of the bore.
5. Install three seperate rings of flax packing. Wrap the shaft with the flax and cut so that the ends of the flax completely wraps around the shaft and the ends touch each other, but do not overlap. The three joints should be staggered around the shaft.
6. Push the three rings into the bore of the rudder port or shaft log.
7. Reinstall the cap nut and hand tighten. Maybe tighten a qaurter turn more with a wrench. Do not overtighten to the point of creating excessive heat while underway.
8. Tighten jamb nut against cap nut.
9. Install stainless steel safety wire (usually found on drive shaft only, not rudder).
10. Test drive and look for dripping (good). If not dripping, loosen cap nut slightly. Feel for heat. Much of any heat is not good. Warm to the touch is okay (IMHO).

BTW: You will need two (2) feet of flax packing rope to do both the rudder and drive shaft. I do not know what size flax you will need as I always just buy at dealer and they give me the correct size. Once you have replaced the flax properly, it should last many, many years. Good luck.

David

Thanks for your reply. The shaft has a silver ring with allen screws. I assume that I loosen this and move it up the shaft. Then there is a brass fitting with a hex part on both ends, then a rubber boot. Is the brass fitting actually 2 pieces? Is the cap nut inside the brass fitting?

Thanks Ed

SkiDim has a new rope that just came out called "goretex" I believe. I just put it in my 76 mustang 17 and I tell you it worked great! No water dripping from the shaft and runs nice and cool!! It wasnt that expensive either.