Hit underwater object now prop is shifted right. What. Now?

[FrankSchwab]

If it were me, I'd wait on worrying about the stuffing box until the propshaft slides out of the boat. Then, it'll be easy to pull the hose off the shaft log and pull the whole assembly out of the boat. Loosen the lock nut, remove the packing nut, clean all the old packing out.

Based on the Skidim page, and assuming that you have a 1-1/8" diameter shaft, you'd need the 3/16" packing.

You won't be able to re-pack the stuffing box until you've got the new propshaft installed (and the alignment done). Then it's about a 10 minute process. Don't tighten the packing nut significantly until you get the boat in the water - if it's too loose, it'll be dripping into the bilge which is no big deal. If it's too tight, it'll destroy the packing and possibly put a groove into your nice new shaft.

/frank

[Kdmann64]

Ok props fixed, coupler is off, shaft is out, and strut is off yeah me. Shaft looks good, my father is taking by a machine shop at his work to check.
Now I'm looking at log/packing box and don't know what I'm looking at. Here are two pics. I loosened the clamps but e rubber hose can't really slid up cause of that yellow thing. And ther is a tube coming into it that runs up to a T at a rubber hose hat runs between the manifolds. Why is al this? Is there a packing nut I here somewhere and what do I have to take off so that I will be ready to reinstall the shaft?
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[Kdmann64]

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One shot

[Kdmann64]

The other side
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[FrankSchwab]

Wull, what you gots there is a "dripless packing". Two manufacturers are PSS and OJ.

Yours doesn't look quite like either of those, so I'm not sure what you have. The hose brings a bit of water down from the cooling system to make sure that the seal is cooled/lubricated - without the hose, air can get trapped in the seal and let it run dry.

I'm not sure what needs to be done to get a new shaft through there - there's unlikely to be a packing nut, but there may be a seal that fits on the shaft. Jamming the propshaft back through may damage it (or may not; I'm out of my depth here). Maybe someone else will recognize the maker and be able to link to maintenance instructions for it. It looks like it barely fits in the space available for it.

/frank

[Jerseydave]

Feel for the seal with your finger, see if it's inside and smooth all around. I doubt you have any damage to that dripless packing but if you want to replace it I think those hose clamps are the only thing holding it there so it should come right off. I've never done one like that, maybe others can chime in. I think that I would just leave it alone, but soak the inside of it with binding lube before you slide your propshaft back in. Soak the propshaft too.

[Kdmann64]

Feels smooth inside, got shaft straightened, now I'm waiting on strut from skidim, service has not been good for this order. I'm ready to get this thing back together and give it a test drive.

[Kdmann64]

Thanks to all who helped. I got my strut today and have everything put back together. We are going to take the boat out this afternoon to test it out. I'll get back on tonight with the results. Say a prayer that I did all is right.

[Hrkdrivr]

Good work! I'm still waiting on my strut...not SkiDim's fault; they were out of them and the holiday week didn't help.

[Kdmann64]

Yeah I got mine from skidim, they are fantastic and worked with me to get it here today. Hooked up loaded up and heading out.