97' 355AC Rudder Stuffing Box

[Cork the Whine]

Hi all,

I've been chasing water for a year now and have chased it back to the starboard rudder stuffing box. There's a very quick drip out of the top. I've got the aft stateroom pulled apart, specifically the night stand on the starboard side and I can get at the jam nut and stuffing box. I've never adjusted (tightened) one of these beofre, I just ordered a 2.25" stuffing box wrench short handle does any one have any tipsfor loosening the jam nut? Looking for any help you might offer. It seems to be stuck together, although I didnt have the right tools this past Sunday.

Thanks!

[Viper]

Should be pretty straight forward. Loosen the jam nut and tighten the packing nut just enough to stop the leak unless your intention is to repack the log with new packing.

[km1125]

I picked up a couple of these from Home Depot a while ago. They adjust large enough for the stuffing boxes and you can add a section of pipe to the handle if you need more leverage. They work great.

rigid_hex_offset_wrench.jpg

[Cork the Whine]

Thank you!!! the issue is space / length of the tool. But I get hte idea thank you!!

[bud37]

You may have to use 2 wrenches, one to hold and one to loosen the jam nut.....sometimes a pipe wrench will work maybe a nice aluminum. I made a couple out of flat bar.

If you are lucky maybe someone did not tighten too much and maybe a strap wrench will work.....good luck with your contortions..

[Cork the Whine]

So to close the loop on this.... The mystery water developing in starboard side bilge (under the black water tank) of our 97' 355AC was NOT coming from the stuffing box as I thought. (It does infact drip a bit of water but not at the rate that was filling the bilge). The water was coming from our rear AC unit. There were (2) quater sized holes rusted through the bottom of the drip pan. I only was able to figure this out becasue the shower sump stopped filling with water. I pulled the AC unit and found the holes on the far port side of the drip pan of which theres no visability unless you pull the unit. I've temporatily patched the holes and will address this off season. The water is going where it should have been going.... bilge is dry.

[km1125]

Congrats on finding the problem and coming back and updating the thread!

[Viper]

Thanks for following up.