Shaft Packing Gland Nut Size

Our boat is a 1989 E-34 with a one inch prop shaft. What is the size of 'thin' special wrench I need to get to work on the packing gland to loosen the retaining nut and adjust the gland to reduce drip?? I have several big pipe wrenches, but don't want to use them on the nut.

I'm 250 miles away from marina and would like to buy the wrench before going to the Marina. Knowing the size would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Tor

I know I might get some guff for this but... I use two LARGE channel lock pliers to free mine. First time I did use lots of Liquid Wrench repeatedly applied over a few days before I went at it. "Yes, she's a b*tch but she does what I want if I'm patient."

Here you go

I have a pair of these and like them:

stuffing box wrench

Size of Nut and wrench required

Chris A. said:

I have a pair of these and like them:

stuffing box wrench

Click to expand...

Chris,

Those wrenches look great - do you know the actual size required on our E-34's prop shaft packing gland?? It has to be in the 2 inch range???

Tor

Tor
You might look in the plumbing supply at big box stores; I'm not sure of the name of the wrench, but it is aluminum with sort of a square head. It has a center adjustment and both sides/jaws move. It will open to about 3 1/2 inches and would work well if you can't determine exact size of the one you need.

1 7/8"

I measured 1 7/8" at the end of the jaws. About 1/32" wider at the bottom of the jaws.

Cheers,

Chris A. said:

I measured 1 7/8" at the end of the jaws. About 1/32" wider at the bottom of the jaws.

Cheers,

Click to expand...

Perfect. I'll get a 1 7/8" wrench before I go down to the boat. I'll also take a pipe wrench to hold the body of the gland, as well as an adjustable wrench I have that will open to 2 1/4".

I'll wrap the fitting with a cloth which I'll keep soaking with vinegar to loosen the 'green' oxide and salt crust for a day or so, and then I'll work at 'cracking' the lock nut so I can tighten the gland. I have zero drip while shaft is stationary, but 50 to 60 per minute when shaft is spinning. I understand that tightening will be in very small segments.

Thanks all for all the suggestions, and you Chris, for the actual nut size.

Tor

ps. My wife retired at the end of January, so we're looking forward to getting way more sailing time starting this year.

Good link

If you haven't seen MaineSail's excellent piece on servicing the stuffing box, check it out:

Servicing a traditional stuffing box

Happy sailing!

Measured mine yesterday. On my 1" shaft the packing nut is 2", the lock nut is 1.75".

mherrcat said:

Measured mine yesterday. On my 1" shaft the packing nut is 2", the lock nut is 1.75".

Click to expand...

Thank you all for your help. I got a narrow wrench that is adjustable from 0 to 2 1/4 inches. It is a very old wrench I found in my father's tool box - very solid steel, with a short handle - perfect for this job.

Tor

This a project I am looking to take on this spring on our boat, but in loking at packing which is available, what size packing is right for our E33? (Universal M25 with 1" shaft). I was surprised to see so many options online.