This is embarrassing... I'm repacking the stuffing box and I've done before but now I can "break" the locknut. It's been bathing in Blaster for a week.
My DRS must be kicking in.... I'm wondering if I'm trying to turn it in the wrong direction? Everything I see on-line says it should turn clockwise to loosen but is that facing forward or aft? The hint about the wrench handles should come together when loosening doesn't help either as it would depend on how you place the wrenches.
I've also tried hitting the locking nut with an extension and a hammer on the edge of the nut but still no joy.
I'm going down to the boat tomorrow and will try reversing the torque from what I've been doing but any expert advice would be welcome.
Thanks,
Chuck Parker
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
If you are looking at the stuffing box such that the engine is on your right hand side, then to loosen the end nut it should be rotated counter clockwise when looking aft or towards the rudder. This means to loosen the lockout it must be moved away from the end nut, that means rotated clockwise when looking aft.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
Chuck -
Twice over the years I had the locknut get stuck on our former C36. Solution seemed to be soaking for a couple of weeks with liquid wrench (brushed on) and then making some "cheaters" out of PVC pipe to slip over the stuffing box wrenches to get more leverage. Taught me a lesson to make sure to put some lanocote on the threads once is all loosened up to prevent this in the future...
Note: Be VERY CAREFUL with that PB Blaster stuff -- it can damage rubber (I've read it can destroy the rear seal on the transmission if sprayed carelessly, and I imagine it could do damage to the shaft log hose as well).
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
After about a week of soaking with Blaster I got it loosened. Most postings I read said to hold the stuffing box steady and turn the locknut. This didn't work because the locknut is so narrow I couldn't get a good grip on it. Used a pipe wrench on the stuffing box piece then, with that backed off I got the locking nut loose.
Now to remove the old stuffing. it seems to have really hardened up. The cork screw tool doesn't work... have been pulling at it with picks and will try the "sheet rock screw" trick. Does WD 40 or Blaster help soften up the old stuffing to anyone's knowledge?
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Since you have to use sharp tools to remove the old stuffing, wrap electrical tape on the exposed portion of the shaft to prevent scratching
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie