Shaft Packing Replacement on 2006 LSV

I replaced the shaft packing on my 2006 LSV last week because at the end of last season, I had the packing nut bottomed out and water was coming out of the shaft seal at a steady stream. I bought Tefpack® Synthetic Packing, "a strong durable synthetic fiber saturated with teflon" from go2marine.com for $6 for the 2' x 3/16" size.

First I removed the trim panels (two) on the front of the starboard rear locker as this seemed to be the best access. I also removed the ballast intake strainer cup and the large cooling water hose that goes from the v-drive to the impeller. This gave me a little room to work. See pics below.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_6297.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_6296.jpg

Next I used an adjustable sink wrench and a pair of channel locks to separate the locking nut from the packing nut, then backed the packing nut all the way out and slid it up the shaft as far as it would go. Then I used a dentist's pick to remove the existing packing. It worked great, I dug 5 pieces of packing out in less than 5 minutes.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/IMG_6295.jpg


I initially followed Brian Raymond's instructions as posted by JesseC (thanks!) but found that the recommended length of 4-1/8" is too short. The pieces I removed were all 4-1/4' so I cut the first piece that length and tested it and it seemed to be the right length. Also, on the advise of my local dealer's mechanic, I cut both ends at a 45 degree angle instead of a straight 90.

I put in three pieces of packing and tigthened and packed the packing per Brian Raymond's instructions but when I tested it on the water, I found that it was leaking a pretty steady stream. Good thing I brought the necessary tools with me so I tightened the packing nut about another couple of turns until the dripping slowed to about once per 30 seconds with the engine in gear at idle speed. I called it good at that point.

Al

Excellent post. With a synthetic you don't need to have the system drip unlike a wax cord. I put in a graphite cord six years ago and I tightened where there is no drips and hasn't needed an adjustment since. Excellent choice in cords and it should be the last cord you will ever need.

Great post Al. how hard do you think it would have been to loosen the 4 drive shaft bolts and slipped a feeler gauge between the coupler?

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Originally Posted by zabooda

Excellent post. With a synthetic you don't need to have the system drip unlike a wax cord. I put in a graphite cord six years ago and I tightened where there is no drips and hasn't needed an adjustment since. Excellent choice in cords and it should be the last cord you will ever need.

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The service tech at the dealer told me that even with synthetic packing, I should allow it to drip a little to keep it lubrcated. But glad to know you have made it 6 years with no drips an no issues.

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Originally Posted by DOCDRS

Great post Al. how hard do you think it would have been to loosen the 4 drive shaft bolts and slipped a feeler gauge between the coupler?

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I think it would have been doable. I basically sat with my legs crossed and could access the area with both hands. It's tight though. But why would you loosen the drive shaft bolts? Don't you just slip the feeler gauge in between the bolts? I still have to check my shaft alignment one of these days.

you loosen these bolts to separate the prop shaft coupler then pull it back tight by hand and measure the top bottom and both sides to determine if you need to adjust the motor alignment,

You put 5 pieces in your 06 LSV? I have the Goretex GFO packing and most i can fit is 2 rings. Tried 3 but after many hours and vulgarities, i stuck with 2. 3 wouldn't get enough threads to lock on.

SC_LSV

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Originally Posted by SC_LSV

You put 5 pieces in your 06 LSV? I have the Goretex GFO packing and most i can fit is 2 rings. Tried 3 but after many hours and vulgarities, i stuck with 2. 3 wouldn't get enough threads to lock on.

SC_LSV

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No, just three and it wasn't easy getting the third one stuffed in there far enough so that the packing nut would catch the threads but I eventually got it to go.

Dug the packing out to replace this weekend, turns out there were 3 in it, for some reason I was thinking only 2. Guess that 3rd was actually the 4th.

Put in the GFO and had tighten the nut lil too tight at first. Loosened to a drip every 10 seconds or so and works just fine.

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Originally Posted by SC_LSV

You put 5 pieces in your 06 LSV? I have the Goretex GFO packing and most i can fit is 2 rings. Tried 3 but after many hours and vulgarities, i stuck with 2. 3 wouldn't get enough threads to lock on.

SC_LSV

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I used the same stuff on mine this weekend. Pulled out 2 pieces and could only fit 2 back in. Tried to get a third but just too tight.

I noticed that you refered to another post in this thread. What is the other post you are refering to with instructions? Also, you said a drip ever 30 seconds roughly while in gear idling. Does it drip less once up and running? Mine has a pretty good leak somewhere letting water in the boat. I can tell it is coming from somewhere near the vdrive but can't really get to it to see. We just got the boat and the dealer said that the seals around the shaft probably just need to get wet. But I'm not thinking that is the case. I think I need to tighten this. I'm guessing I need to be on the water to tighten it correct?

Walb, you need to take the boat out on the water and tighten the packing nut to reduce the water flow. If you tighten the nut until it goes no further and it still is leaking too much then you need a replacement cord. No matter how much you are in the water the seals (packing cord) won't change and only tightening the nut to compress the cord more against the shaft will the leaking then stop.

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Originally Posted by walb0244

I noticed that you refered to another post in this thread. What is the other post you are refering to with instructions? Also, you said a drip ever 30 seconds roughly while in gear idling. Does it drip less once up and running? Mine has a pretty good leak somewhere letting water in the boat. I can tell it is coming from somewhere near the vdrive but can't really get to it to see. We just got the boat and the dealer said that the seals around the shaft probably just need to get wet. But I'm not thinking that is the case. I think I need to tighten this. I'm guessing I need to be on the water to tighten it correct?

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The other post is the third sticky from the bottom in this section. It's by jesseC.

Yes, you'll want to be on the water to tighten it, then have someone put it in gear while you watch for the drips, have them shut it off, adjust it some more, put in gear again, etc. until you are satisfied with the drip rate.

I appreciate the help guys. This is our first inboard so we are way behind the learning curve on this so far.

I went to check mine then remembered ... Whoops I have the dripless system, my bad! I soooo wanted to climb into a small, toght, sharp space and skin myself do death! :p

Nice write up Al ;)

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Originally Posted by Razzman

I went to check mine then remembered ... Whoops I have the dripless system, my bad! I soooo wanted to climb into a small, toght, sharp space and skin myself do death! :p

Nice write up Al ;)

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Thanks for rubbing it in, razz :)

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Originally Posted by cab13367

Thanks for rubbing it in, razz :)

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Hey a little birdie told me today that you bought pizza! What a guy! :p

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Originally Posted by Razzman

Hey a little birdie told me today that you bought pizza! What a guy! :p

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LOL! Word travels fast!

Hey guys,
We took our boat out to the lake yesterday to do some work since I had read this forum and knew what to do now. I was able to tighten the nut up to where now I have a drip maybe every 20 seconds. Since it was mother's day I gave up on it. I know it needs to be alittle tighter. Will get to that another day. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the help. I did have a fountain coming through the seal, now I'm down to just having a few drips. Thanks again guys.

That's what happens. You're on your way to becoming a Moomba Boards addict now.

Guys,

Thanks for all the great info. Anyone can tell what is the tool I need to tight the nut? I plan to be on the lake thid week end and I want to adjust it...

Thanks,

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Originally Posted by walb0244

Hey guys,
We took our boat out to the lake yesterday to do some work since I had read this forum and knew what to do now. I was able to tighten the nut up to where now I have a drip maybe every 20 seconds. Since it was mother's day I gave up on it. I know it needs to be alittle tighter. Will get to that another day. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the help. I did have a fountain coming through the seal, now I'm down to just having a few drips. Thanks again guys.

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Originally Posted by pasbrittcote

Guys,

Thanks for all the great info. Anyone can tell what is the tool I need to tight the nut? I plan to be on the lake thid week end and I want to adjust it...

Thanks,

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I always used large adjustable , and pipe wrenches. They are big nuts. Not your average squirrel size

Thanks! I will be adjusting this and making sure no water or almost is coming in...

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Originally Posted by DOCDRS

I always used large adjustable , and pipe wrenches. They are big nuts. Not your average squirrel size

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When you guys are pulling out the old packing you are pulling it from the nut correct?

Yes, that's correct.

Ok that's what I thought I was just making sure before I tore into it.