How to Lubricate a Prop Shaft on an Inboard

Keeping a drive shaft properly lubricated requires a level of finesse. Drive shaft packing is designed to allow water to drip through in order to keep it lubricated, a thought that can scare novice boaters. The drive shaft spins at thousands of rotations per minute and can generate enough heat to melt the packing material if it is installed too tightly, but packing installed too loosely can prove equally detrimental. It may take a few tries to get the packing material installed just right.

Things You'll Need

  • Wax-impregnated packing rope
  • Packing nut wrench
  • Screwdriver set
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Instructions

    • 1

      Open your boat's engine cover and remove the section of flooring that covers the stuffing box, if necessary.

    • 2

      Open the stuffing box. Remove any existing packing material and inspect the drive shaft for irregularities. Have any sharp spots or burrs serviced by a technician.

    • 3

      Wrap the wax rope around the drive shaft and cut it with a utility knife. Cut these rings until you run out of rope.

    • 4

      Wrap the rings around the drive shaft and push them down into the stuffing box. Make sure each ring's connecting point is offset 90 degrees from the previous one.

    • 5

      Tighten the packing nut with the nut wrench until it is snug. Close the stuffing box, replace the floor board if necessary, and close the engine cover.

    • 6

      Run your boat in the water for an hour. Open the engine cover to inspect the amount of water in the bilge, and open the stuffing box to inspect the amount of water coming in. If it is completely dry, loosen the packing nut slightly, or tighten it if there is more than a slow drip.