You can see the hose barb off to the side of it, which will feed it water and keep it dripless. Changing to the OJ flex seal in a boat that currently has the plumbing is as simple as a plug in the current waterline. The Tides Marine shaft seal system, is the market leader in dripless propeller shaft sealing. Carefully slide the new lip seal down the shaft and into the chamfered opening in the front of the housing. With all the buzz around dripless shaft seals, many boaters are realizing that these so-called “dripless” shaft seals rarely live up to the marketing hype. At this point the driveshaft has been separated from the transmission coupler by removing the 4 bolts/ locknuts. Sort by. 2. 10. In turn, the hose is clamped to the shaft tube. Troubleshooting High-pitched squeal: If you hear a high-pitched squeal from the PSS shaft seal during operation, the seal may not be getting water. Do not use any sort of grease on the shaft. © In an effort to remove the coupling, don't hit it with a hammer because you could break the coupling or damage the shaft. If some lubrication is needed to assist in sliding the collar down the shaft, use a little liquid dishwashing soap. Depending on the boat, the size of shaft, and the power output, there may be four or six nuts and bolts. I cannot overemphasize the need for caution here. CAUTION: If the seal has run dry use caution! Sometimes it helps to support the shaft and propeller outside the boat. These clamps should be oriented at 180 degrees to each other as shown. As in all Lasdrop models, the Elites incorporates a water lubricated alignment bearing in the housing to keep the unit properly aligned with the shaft. With everything out, I removed the old dripless seal, made easy by the access (See the post "The Dreaded Dripless Shaft Seal - Part 1"). Too loose, and it will leak excessively; too tight, and shaft wear will occur. These should be retained for future use – any time the shaft is removed they are needed – they can be wire-tied near the stuffing box. While the rotor and stator are engineered to last for many years under normal conditions, they have been known to fail with catastrophic results.  Just ask this TowBoatUS captain who’s responded to several  boat owners in distress due to failures with their dripless shaft seals. The PSS Shaft Seal is also recognized as the premiere retrofit (aftermarket) seal on the world market. Slide the stainless-steel rotor collar down the shaft until it contacts the carbon ring. Not only are the bellows prone to cracking, they can also loose their elasticity over time which can weaken the compression between the rotor and stator.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully on how far to compress the bellows during installation.  After a couple years, you may find that the resting length of the bellows is ¼” to ½” shorter than it was when it was new.  In these cases you either need to get a new bellow (preferred) or reset the location of the rotor to account for the memory that has been built in to the bellow. mechanical shaft seal or packless shaft seal) installed on your boat, it’s important that you check it periodically to ensure it is safe and seaworthy.  Many vessels have sunk or suffered severe water damage due to an improperly installed and/or neglected dripless shaft seal. 8. Here's the old shaft seal with the brass compression nut and wax rope packing inside vs the new Glide GMSS seal kit, which is essentially maintenance free. Return the split retaining washer to the shaft in front of the lip seal. I have a question on winterizing with a dripless shaft seal. the seal is purged, see fig. Dripless shaft seal in cold climates, in-water storage: phorvati: Propellers & Drive Systems: 7: 05-10-2018 18:54: Idiot Question - Dripless Shaft not so dripless: Johnathon123: Propellers & Drive Systems: 19: 17-07-2016 16:24: Dripless Shaft Seal: Portobello: Construction, Maintenance & Refit: 3: 25-05-2009 15:24: Dripless shaft seal. Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. Check the transmission for shaft alignment, and adjust as necessary. Often, tapping on opposite sides of the back of the coupling helps. Be careful not to ding the end of the shaft or coupling. Simply put, our heavy duty self-aligning shaft seals are the safest and must dependable shaft sealing device on the market. Facebook. Tides Marine - Marine industry manufacturer of the dripless or drip free, Self Aligning, SureSeal Shaft Seal, Rudder Bearings, Rudder Seals and SailTrack and Slide System. In fact, a properly adjusted traditional stuffing box is supposed to leak a few drops each minute when the boat is underway. New shaft alloys (such as Aqualoy 19 and the more common Aqualoy 22) make it even harder for the set screws to get a good bite on the shaft making them even more prone to slipping. In most cases a stainless-steel rotor is slid on to the propeller shaft and fastened using nitrile rubber o-rings and set screws.  Then, a carbon stator is compressed against the rotor on one side by a rubberized section of bellows that are secured to the stern tube on the other side creating a water-resistant barrier that allows the propeller shaft to turn freely. At Tides, providing excellent customer service is our no. previous page: pages 1 2: next page: 09-MAR-04. Most dripless shaft seal manufacturers, utilize a carbon-graphite sealing face (carbon stator) that creates the actual “dripless” seal between the rotor and the stator. If you have a dripless shaft seal (i.e. Installation Tip: The intermediate shaft bearing (ISB) mounts in place of a traditional stuffing box and our SA-Series self-aligning shaft seal attaches to the barbed end of the ISB bearing. Your boat needs to be out of the water to undertake this project. The PSS dripless shaft seal from PYI works by mechanically compressing a carbon ring to “float” against a smooth steel face encircling the shaft. Welcome to Kiwi Shaft Seal The stainless steel Kiwi Shaft Seal™ offers protection for your vessel, keeping crew safe and dry. Print . These clamps should be oriented at 180 degrees to each other as shown. One method to verify your rotor is locked in position and not moving is to take a permanent marker and mark the shaft as a reference point.  If the position of the rotor has moved in relation to the reference point, you know there’s a problem. Thankfully, there are now more modern mechanical stuffing boxes that don't leak at all, thus keeping the inside of the boat dry, something that I'd long wished for on Seaglass, my Grand Banks 32. If you’re boat is fitted with a dripless mechanical seal, here are a few things you should be aware of and look for to help prevent a catastrophic failure of your boat’s running gear. Lasdrop Elite Shaft Seal The Lasdrop Elite, the newest marine dripless shaft-seal on the market, is a compact lip seal designed for quick and easy installation. The “Original” Bellows and Generation II models will last as long as eight to ten years before servicing, while the DrySeal model will last three to five years before the inner lip seal must be changed. The Kiwi Shaft Seal™ is a New Zealand made product which is easy to install and has a 15 year pleasure craft or 5 year commercial craft guarantee (Conditions apply). Boat builders and boat yards recognize the advantages and value of installing the PSS as it eliminates the maintenance, constant adjustment and cost associated with traditional type of packing glands. Devote some time to these inspections or projects to make sure your boat is ready for next spring, Boats with inboard power are fitted with a stuffing box to provide a watertight seal for the propeller shaft, An analysis of a sinking files reveals the 10 most common reasons that boats end up under the water. Many vessels have sunk or suffered severe water damage due to an improperly installed and/or neglected dripless shaft seal. It's dripless operation eliminates needless bilge pumping, and wet bilges! Begin by sliding the bellows down the shaft, then clamping this to the stern tube with the two stainless-steel pipe clamps that come supplied with the shaft seal. WHY TIDES MARINE? This damaged shaft seal (above) was detected by an eagle eyed marine mechanic in Downeast Maine.  It’s hard to see in the pictures, but if you look VERY closely you can see a hairline crack running through the whole length of the hose connection threads and out around the stator body.  Had this crack gone undiscovered it could have resulted in a severe flooding situation jeopardizing the safety of the boat and its passengers. Day One: 1) Loosen the packing gland nut. On average, the PSS requires approximately one (1) hour of break in time, which allows the carbon ring face to polish the mating face of the stainless steel rotor. Tired of leaky shaft seals filling the bilge with water or having to replace the packing? The Lasdrop Elite is a compact, lip seal designed for quick and easy installation. Carefully follow instructions from the manufacturer as to your specific type of boat. It is important to check the carbon stator thoroughly for cracks at least once a year during haul-out.  Some cracks and chips are obvious, but some can be hard to see with the naked eye even under ideal lighting conditions. Add to cart. Lasdrop dripless shaft seals are the answer for an easily installed replacement to the original stuffing box on nearly any boat.Once installed, there is virtually no maintenance required. Then clamp the rotor collar to the shaft with the supplied grub screws. Review and correct plumbing to the seal. 5. var absrc = 'https://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=170269;size=300x250;setID=296584;type=iframe;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid296584+';place='+(plc296584++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER'; we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously, We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously, Cadet Shipping Experience on the Great Lakes: Day 26, Behavioral Based Safety Observation Programs, Cadet Shipping Experience on the Great Lakes: Day 55, PREVENTING EMPLOYEE COMPLACENCY IN THE WORKPLACE, The El Faro’s Ill-fated Decision to Head Directly Towards Hurricane Joaquin, Social Responsibilites of Merchant Shipping and Offshore Oil Companies: Part #4, Upgrading Your Boat’s Traditional Bronze Stuffing Box, Inspecting Your Boat’s “Dripless” Shaft Seal, Free Sample IWCF Supervisor Well Control Exam …, What A Trump Presidency Means for Offshore …. Note: Never use the same set screws when adjusting the location of your dripless shaft seals rotor. OJ Dripless Shaft Seal Installation Ski Nautique 206 with PCM ZR6. Email. var abkw = window.abkw || ''; PSS Shaft Seal Installation. Most manufacturers utilize set-screws to lock the rotor on to the propeller shaft and hold it in place.  These set-screws usually work as intended but they can break loose causing your dripless to leak (or worse). You can read his complete bio and the story behind this site by clicking here . Lasdrop and PYI Outscore Four Other Dripless Shaft Seal Makers. With the coupling removed, the hardest part of the job is now over. document.write(''); The cost depends on the size of seal needed; Mark's costs were about $250. This pressure creates a slight gap between the seal and the shaft (9). The PSS is maintenance free; no more packing and repacking. 9. Dripless Shaft Seals by PYI and Lasdrop offer dripless operation on your boat and eliminate the need to packing and the drips that can lead to odors and the packing wear that can lead to leaks. You can now start assembling the new shaft seal. Simplan Shaft Seals For Water-Lubricated Stern Tubes . Inspect the shaft for pitting and wear, especially the end from which the coupling was removed. The faces (stainless steel rotor and carbon) may be very hot. If your boat has a drive saver, as mine does, you'll also need to remove the grounding "jumper" cable or strap. 6. If you make a mistake, you could sink your boat. At Tides, providing excellent customer service is our no. Making retro fit installation much easier without the need for the additional plumbing.   Just about every boat fitted with a conventional inboard engine has what is known as a "stuffing box" or "shaft seal." Also inspect the shaft where the original packing rubbed on the shaft. It has taken 30+ … Continue reading "Hydraulic Seals Suppliers" Most dripless shaft seal units have a small barb fitting on the graphite flange where a hose can be connected to ensure that water is always present right up to the rotor. Slide the shaft toward the aft of the boat, about 10 to 12 inches. Shaft Diameter Clear: Self-aligning Shaft Seal | ISB-SA Combo w/Bearing quantity. per page. SIMPLAN is the Number 1 selling seal for water lubricated sterntubes on the US Inland Waterways. When correctly adjusted, the shaft is free to rotate within the stuffing box, and water mostly stays out. WHY TIDES MARINE? Finally, wipe down the shaft with a clean rag to remove any residue or dirt. Product(s) Shaft Size Stern Tube O.D. From the fitting, the hose runs either to a place high above the waterline or, in the case of higher speed vessels into the engine’s raw-water cooling system. One effective alternative to a dripless mechanical shaft seal is a self-aligning stuffing box such as R.E. He currently sails as Captain/OIM on a large exploration and research vessel in the Gulf of Mexico and enjoys writing and speaking about maritime safety and performance. This slight drip ensures that the packing is lubricated with water; however, it shouldn't leak when the boat is stationary. Captain Ben Dinsmore is the founder and editor of The Maritime Site. PSS Shaft Seal Maintenance & User Guidelines For Sport Boats Using Standard Speed 1-1/8” Seals With 1-3/4” Stern Tube. The bilge of his boat was constantly wet, until he installed a dripless shaft seal by himself. Make sure that the water-injection pipe is facing upward. Allow the penetrating fluid to do its thing for 15 minutes or more. The most difficult components to properly inspect on a dripless shaft seal are the nitrile o-rings under the stainless rotor.  Like the bellows, the o-rings should be changed out as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.  The good news is there’s usually two o-rings installed so if one of them rots out, you have an adequate amount of seal left to keep the water out (or at least contain it to a small drip). It's something I had forgotten about until I winterized the boat for the second time (last year was my first on this particular boat) over the weekend. Note that there are two screws in each of the two tapped holes, one on top of the other; the first clamps the collar to the shaft, and the second acts as a lock screw. The truth is dripless seals—either lip-seal or face-seal types—require just a little simple maintenance once or twice a year. This may avoid cocking the coupling on the shaft, which, even if indiscernible, can make removal much harder. Now is a good time to polish the shaft with some wet/dry sandpaper. 7. If in doubt, consult a prop shop or other professional. Thomas Marine Hardware’s ISB-SA system.  It combines the benefits of a dripless mechanical seal (dry bilge and less vibration) with the durability and safety of a traditional bronze stuffing box.  There’s no rubber bellow to crack or compress, there’s no stator to crack, there’s no stainless rotor to slip, and there’s no nylon hose fittings to snap off.  There’s also an intermediate shaft bearing just aft of the shaft seal that helps support (and protect) the shaft reducing the damaging effects of shaft vibration. Take your time; persistence will prevail. You can now start assembling the new shaft seal. Always read, follow, and understand the instructions that come with the seal. var pid296584 = window.pid296584 || rnd; R.E. If you have a dripless shaft seal (i.e. 3) Push the shaft towards the stern separating it from the transmission. Published: October 12, 2000. Adequate water flow into the shaft seal's injection pipe is critical to keep the seal from overheating, which could result in its seizing. View as. Here's how he did it. Don’t let the term “dripless” fool you.  Mechanical shaft seals can and will leak, especially if they’re not properly installed and maintained.  One manufacturer has even produced a series of troubleshooting videos on how to stop their line of dripless shaft seals from leaking.