Naiad lower seal replacement
Today I was able to replace both lower seals on my Naiads. It was a pretty easy job with help from Mark (Airpilot). First we pulled the fins:
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...otlight042.jpg
Then we pulled off the seal retainers and the seals. The trick here is use a dry wall screw to get a grip on the seal and then pull them out with a pair of Visegrips.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...otlight040.jpg
The seals were in bad shape. The new seals are a white translucent color and the old ones looked like this:
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...otlight041.jpg
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Next, we cleaned up the shafts and seal surfaces with some emory and some MEK to get the old caulk out. Yes, that's me pushing in the final seal.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...otlight044.jpg
Next the seal retainer plates went back on.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...otlight038.jpg
And finally, we put the fins back up on the tapered shafts and torqued the bolts. Hmmm, no pic of the completed job. But all and all about a 4-6 hour job with plenty of interruptions along the way. It was one of those rare projects that goes better than expected with minimal surprises.
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Sky
Do you happen to know what the factory recommended replacement cycle for the Niad seals is?
Thanks
Spin
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Sky What's involved in pulling the fins off?
Brian
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Sky
Nice work. Next time I do mine I'll use the latex gloves too.
The experts suggest changing them every 2 to 3 years. I agree considering the relative low cost of the job and what the consequences are if you get water into the bearings.
Chris
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Brian Degulis
Sky What's involved in pulling the fins off?
Brian
Brian,
Pull out the rubber plugs then unscrew the bolt that holds the fin to the shaft. Next insert the puller tool into the shaft and tighten it until it jacks the fin off of the shaft. The puller tool is pictured above next to the fin. It is just a large hardened bolt.
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chris
Sky
Nice work. Next time I do mine I'll use the latex gloves too.
The experts suggest changing them every 2 to 3 years. I agree considering the relative low cost of the job and what the consequences are if you get water into the bearings.
Chris
Thanks for the tips, Chris. Now all I have left is to replace the feedback assemblies and the trunion bushings.
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SKYCHENEY
Brian,
Pull out the rubber plugs then unscrew the bolt that holds the fin to the shaft. Next insert the puller tool into the shaft and tighten it until it jacks the fin off of the shaft. The puller tool is pictured above next to the fin. It is just a large hardened bolt.
OK Sky it's making sense I've got the puller tool and didn't know what it was untill now. So the bolt that holds the fin on must be way up inside the fin since the shaft coming down looks pretty short?
I have to do this on my next haul so I'm trying to understand it
Brian
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Brian Degulis
OK Sky it's making sense I've got the puller tool and didn't know what it was untill now. So the bolt that holds the fin on must be way up inside the fin since the shaft coming down looks pretty short?
I have to do this on my next haul so I'm trying to understand it
Brian
Brian,
You are correct. The fin bolt is way up there, but you can reach it with a socket and a mid-sized extension on a 3/4 drive rachet. The puller is of larger diameter and it threads into the same place to jack the fin off of the shaft.
Re: Naiad lower seal replacement
Sky Do you remember the size?
Brian