Repacking the stuffing box

[LittleSister]

I am surprised that people are talking about adding grease when installing the packing. When I attempted this job previously (before discovering both the packing and extractor tool I had were slightly too large ) I got covered in graphite grease from the packing while trying to cut it.

Can anyone suggest what size of packing extractor tool I should be getting ( it looks like there are 4 sizes to choose from . My prop shaft is 40mm.From memory I think the packing is 8 mm. Gland Packing Extractor C -type SIZE-3 (1/2" to 5/8: Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Note that this supplier is in the USA and has a poor feedback rating, getting worse more recently. It also fails to provide the sizing information you or anyone else would want. By looking at the manufacturer's website I have found that an 8mm seal would require the Size 2. Gland Packing Extractors | Vulcan Seals . The two suppliers on eBay also have poor ratings, so if I were you I'd get one from ASAP (see link in VicS's post), which are also cheaper. (I've actually got one of that size I don't need because I mistakenly bought too large, but unfortunately I don't know where it currently is, so can't help you out.)

If you want to buy a removal tool rather than improvise look at the ASAP webpage Gland Packing Material Removal Tool they tell you what size tool you require for each of three different sizes of packing

Note that the ASAP extractors don't go down to the smallest packing sizes - 1/8” (3.2mm) to 3/16” (5mm). (Guess which size I need!) I know this won't matter to the OP and his larger packing, but may be of help to others.

 

[LadyInBed]

I used a stainless wood screw, more pointy than a self tapper. I couldn't get enough leverage by just pulling the screw with mole grips so I had to put wooden blocks under the shaft to use as a fulcrum for a large screwdriver to leaver against the mole grips.
The tool from ASAP looks to be a cork screw on a flexible shaft so nothing to leaver against if necessary.