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
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.
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. :donno: :donno:
Mike
Rob : As new owner you need to look in WiKi.
There is a ton of information just for the reading!!
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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. :thumb:
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!!
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?
Quote from: sailr4 on October 15, 2014, 04:46:49 PM
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
Are you having a problem with either of them?
Assuming the coupling needs to be cut off and I am installing a PSS. I will either need a new shaft or a flexible coupling (since it is long enough to make up for the cut shaft).
Quote from: sailr4 on October 15, 2014, 06:33:22 PM
Assuming the coupling needs to be cut off and I am installing a PSS. I will either need a new shaft or a flexible coupling (since it is long enough to make up for the cut shaft).
Ahhhhh.. Okay, we'll if I HAD to put money into something, I'd rather put it into an improvement (a flexible coupling) than into replacing something that has nothing wrong with it (except for being too short LOL).
KK
Quote from: sailr4 on October 15, 2014, 06:33:22 PM
Assuming the coupling needs to be cut off and I am installing a PSS. I will either need a new shaft or a flexible coupling (since it is long enough to make up for the cut shaft).
Just because you have to cut the coupling off doesn't mean you have to replace the shaft too. If you're careful and cut the coupling over the key slot you should only have to replace the coupling. Be prepared to take the new coupling to a machine shop and have it reamed to the proper diameter. I have a 1" shaft and the replacement coupling was .082". I ordered the shaft from General Propeller - Catalina's supplier.
flex coupling vs solid coupling solid are better they will stay true. flex will have vibration. PSS will also vibration in reverse at the dock but you will have a dry bilge . Charlie
My new Beta 30 has a flex coupling and it does in fact cause vibration in the shaft. After a couple of hours of motoring the stuffing box backs off.No matter how much i tighten the locking nut , it still loosens. I am considering going withe the dripless seal. I have already replaced the shaft with SS 4 years ago. There is just enough offset on the port side of the rudder to wiggle it out.
A little off topic here but any comments regarding PSS vs better stuffing product?
Of course this is all well in advance, as I am not going to haul out until end of November. I think my plan of attack thus far will be to lube up the coupling and give it a chance to come out on its own. If not, I will attemp to cut the coupling over the key (or have the yard do it). I think this will be better than cutting the shaft since a replacement coupling is much cheaper than a shaft. I will remove the shaft and replace the Cutless. I have a PSS seal, however, I think I will try the Gore packing before hauling out and see how it does. I got the PSS for under $200, so I will probably hold on to it unti I'm ready to install.
Rob
Quote from: sailr4 on October 17, 2014, 05:28:33 AM
If not, I will attempt to cut the coupling over the key (or have the yard do it). I think this will be better than cutting the shaft...
Rob, please be careful with letting the Yard Monkeys do this. Many of them use slide hammers. Not a good idea.
Read this: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/new_shaft
As far as getting yard help, I was only referring to cutting the coupling off. I have zero experience with a cut-off / grinder. I will try to remove shaft myself using penetrating oil and prayer.
Rob : All these gyrations when you could just install dripless packing!!!??!!!
a thought
The gore dripless is great! I used it for the first time probably ten years ago. Last year thinking it must be getting near it's end of life I replaced it. I was amazed, about 1/2 of the first ring was gone. I probably tighten it one maybe 2 flats a year. It could have gone another decade before it wore out. Lots of folks use the PSS, but it scares me. Too many things can go wrong.
You have all winter. Lots of PB blaster or similar (not WD40). I used the small socket/bolt method. After several days of PB, apply even pressure on all 4 bolts, wack it with a hammer a couple times. It should budge, retighten the bolts, use the hammer as necessary. You can also try heat, but that will burn away all the PB.
Gore is good.
Ultra X is even better.
Look in the Tech wiki under Stuffing Box, long article I wrote with "The Story" and links from aine Sail, too.