2008 48DA Rudder Packing Leaking

[JMY]

I am looking for some feedback on what type of wrench people have used to tighten the rudder packing nuts on a 48DA. On my other boats I have been able to get a large wrench on the nuts, not the case with this one. I believe the nuts are either 2 3/4"" or 2 7/8"". I have tried a plumbing flange wrench but I can not get enough leverage and I have not been able to find a crowfoot in those sizes yet.

Any thought would be appreciated, thank for the help.

Jim

 

[sdleo26]

I use a pipe wrench, works great, bites really good. You have to have more room than my 290.... It's really tight but I just make it. As you say, finding a position to get leverage is the key.

 

[Mike Blake]

I measured the nut and had a machine shop cut me 2 wrenches out of 1/4 steel. Works like a charm. This guy had a CNC machine.

 

[JMY]

Mike, I was thinking about having a tool made also, what is the measurement across the flats of the tool that you had made? The nut appears to be either 2 3/4 or 2 7/8. The pipe wrench worked fine on my 40DA but the rudders are very difficult to get to on this one.

Thanks Jim