Removing Shaft

[sailr4]

I am planning to replace the cutless and shaft seal this winter. Has anyone been successful at removing the shaft without cutting it?  Or do I need to plan on replacing the shaft too.

Rob

[Ted Pounds]

No problem removing the shaft without cutting it.  You'll scrape a bit of paint off the rudder, but there's enough wiggle room.  If you take the old cutless out first and put the new one in last it's even easier.

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

I know many have done this, but when I had mine done by the yard, they insisted on dropping the rudder and that's what was done so I don't know if they were just hitting me up for more money or there was a special problem with mine. They claimed that they tried to do it without dropping the rudder but said it couldn't be done.

Mike

[Ron Hill]

Rob : As  new owner you need to look in WiKi. 

There is a ton of information just for the reading!!

[sailr4]

Thanks for the replies, however, I was misunderstood.  I will need to remove the shaft from the coupling that has been attached for 25 years.  Do you think it will come off?  I keep reading about people giving up and just cutting the shaft off the coupling.

[sailaway]

You don't need to remove the shaft to replace a cutless  bearing, the shaft seal I don't know about. Is It a dripless seal. Charlie

[sailr4]

Yes, I will be installing a PSS shaft seal.  Im pretty sure the coupling will need to be removed, so I was going to go ahead and remove the shaft to make the cutless change a bit easier.

[KWKloeber]

FWIW,  just some info  on removing prop,  bearing,  etc (from a fellow c30-er who did it this season.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BKdBXHIyC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZQHLvUUyuE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSsAO5yE1Kw

Cheers,
Ken

[Ron Hill]

Rob : Hate to tell you, but if that shaft has been on the coupling for 25 years and the boat has been in salt water you are going to have a "bear" of a time getting them apart. (2 dissimilar metals - bronze shaft & iron coupling)

Start with some blaster and liquid wrench for a long soaking.  Then you might need to heat them!? - to break them apart.

A thought

[Ken Krawford]

Rob, I just removed the coupling on my 2005 C350 to change out the bellows on my dripless packing seal.  It took 4 1/2 hrs and a wheel puller to get it off.  My shaft is stainless and the boat has always been in fresh water.  After I was done, I regretted not replacing it with a stuffing box.  All that work and $85 to maintain a shaft seal.

[Ted Pounds]

Rather than replacing the packing seal with a PSS dripless I recommend trying the Gore dripless packing.  No need to remove the shaft and it works like a champ.   

[Ron Hill]

Rob : I agree with Ted, Gore dripless packing works very very well. 

An option if you run into a problem removing the flange from the shaft!!

[sailr4]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I will certainly consider the Gore packing.  One more opinion question.  If you were to choose between a flexible coupling or a new shaft, which way would you go?

[KWKloeber]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I will certainly consider the Gore packing.  One more opinion question.  If you were to choose between a flexible coupling or a new shaft, which way would you go?

Not sure of the question... that's comparing apples/oranges.  A furler or a new genoa?
You have a good shaft - so why replace it unless you have to to remove the coupling. 
And if you do replace it, then the question is use solid or flexible coupling?  or am I missing something obvious?

If you are looking at installing a dripless seal, you might consider a LasDrop.  But Gore is a much less expensive and equally viable way to go.

Ken K

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

Are you having a problem with either of them?