Small Starboard Rudder Assembly Leak 05 320

[Kbratko]

So I noticed a small leak from the starboard rudder assembly. Figure the packing needs to be replaced. From what I hear this can't be done in water. So my question is can I still run it and keep an eye on it and repack in the fall or is it something that can completely fail and my bilge is full of water? Thanks

 

[JPGator]

Based on your description it is not a pressing issue and can be addressed later. The likelyhood of a failure, again based on your assessment, is rare.

 

[The Bill Collector]

So I noticed a small leak from the starboard rudder assembly. Figure the packing needs to be replaced. From what I hear this can't be done in water. So my question is can I still run it and keep an eye on it and repack in the fall or is it something that can completely fail and my bilge is full of water? Thanks

Have you tried tightening it ? It's a compression fitting.

 

[Kbratko]

Didn't have a large enough wrench so planning on trying to tighten tomorrow. Don't remember it ever being repacked so figured its needs to be.

 

[dtfeld]

Were just discussing in another forum, but I bought a 24" adjustable wrench and (aluminum) pipe wrench from Harbor Freight for these jobs (about $30 each). Work well, although space and access are always an issue. Buy a packing remover tool while your at it, it will save time trying to fish the old packing out.

If tightening (loosen the bottom jam nut, tighten the top compression nut then re tighten jam nut) doesn't stop it, you can wait til you pull the boat, or repack in the water. Cut 4 pcs of shaft packing at a 45 deg angle before starting and it goes pretty quick once you get the nuts loose. YouTube had some good vids when I researched the job.

 

[Kbratko]

Were just discussing in another forum, but I bought a 24" adjustable wrench and (aluminum) pipe wrench from Harbor Freight for these jobs (about $30 each). Work well, although space and access are always an issue. Buy a packing remover tool while your at it, it will save time trying to fish the old packing out.

If tightening (loosen the bottom jam nut, tighten the top compression nut then re tighten jam nut) doesn't stop it, you can wait til you pull the boat, or repack in the water. Cut 4 pcs of shaft packing at a 45 deg angle before starting and it goes pretty quick once you get the nuts loose. YouTube had some good vids when I researched the job.

I was told boat had to be pulled to repack it. If boat is in the water while I loosen won't more water come in?
Your description though is spot on to the youtube videos I have seen.

 

[dtfeld]

Water will come in , but on my boat it was a trickle. I cut the new packing on the shaft before pulling the old ones out to minimize the time the top was off. Here's what the Sea Ray rubber packing look like...