1/2" shaft and rudder packing extractor

[steve c]

Any suggestions for a decent quality packing extractor tool for remuving rudder and shaft packing ? The $12 economy versions keep breaking since the tip is pressed onto the flexible shaft.

 

[Scarlett]

Dental picks work great

 

[steve c]

I'm looking for the corkscrew / wood screw type with flexible drive. The rudder glands on my 41c are in an awkward place.

 

[KPTIM]

Here ya go:
grainger.com part number 4VLV4
McMaster.com part number 9569K67 (order it today have it tomorrow)

Most of this group does not like West Marine but they have a very nice one Model #137620 / MFG #10160

You can also do a simple internet search for "flexible packing seal extractor" for more options.

Should also be able to buy one at any high end hose company especially if they sell and custom make gaskets.

 

[rustybucket]

Welcome to the party lol, we went through (broke/destroyed) every single one we purchased. They were all crap. The best we found were at west marine, even though they too broke in quick order, but at least would extract a couple rings of packing before letting go.

My brother and I were talking about that project last week. Of all the things I've done to the boat pulling the ancient, rock hard, rudder stuffing was by far one of the worst. Every knuckle I had was bleeding/bruised and hands ached for days afterwards. And yes, we wore gloves.

If you are doing it on the hard I'd highly suggest just dropping the rudder shaft, it will make your life WAAAAYYY easier. Of course we did it in the water so that was not an option.

What a bastard of a project.

 

[steve c]

Thanks for the info. I ordered a couple of Graingers with extra tips. Anything less than 6 stitches and a few ounces of blood will work at this juncture.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Dental picks work great

They are the only thing that works.

 

[wpc691]

Sure wish I could get to the point of frustration you’re at. I can’t get the packing gland to even wiggle, much less back out; there’s just no room to get any kind of tool in there. It’s going to have to wait until the boat is on the hard and I can drop the rudders.

 

[rustybucket]

Sure wish I could get to the point of frustration you’re at. I can’t get the packing gland to even wiggle, much less back out; there’s just no room to get any kind of tool in there. It’s going to have to wait until the boat is on the hard and I can drop the rudders.

Having a second person at the helm to turn the wheel lock to lock constantly seemed to loosen things up. Also we sprayed a little lube down into the gland.

 

[dottieshusband]

This is what I use. The corkscrew types were too big to insert and workaround.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Hose pullers. I concur. Handy to have.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I dropped my rudders to repack. While I was at it, I replaced the lower and upper bearings too. That old packing was hard as rock.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I suspect mine looks like that, too. Although they were repacked a few years ago. I think dropping the rudders is on the calendar fro the next winter haulout.

 

[wpc691]

Having a second person at the helm to turn the wheel lock to lock constantly seemed to loosen things up. Also we sprayed a little lube down into the gland.

Thanks, that’s a good idea.