Volvo Saildrive Shaft Seals

Seatrout

Seatrout

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Dear forum colleagues,

I have researched previous postings on the matter but did not find any definitive advice on my problem.

Situation is that I have removed the propshaft housing and shaft from the bottom end of the sail drive. I have removed both shaft seals which was a destructive process.

I tried to then locate the new seals but have destroyed one in the process due to the tightness (expected) of the fit. My question is, are there any subtle techniques which can be recommended to locate the seals into the housing? Brute force and ignorance doesn't seem to work!

Thanks in anticipation of any responses.
 
To put the new seals in place you must remove the bearing ring first. That is the annoying part about the job as it requires specific tools to do.
For me I don't bother I simply go to VP dealer and ask them to fit the new seals I buy from them. The small fee the ask for this is not a problem for me.

The bearing is seated against a few washers to make sure the location relative to the housing is the same after re-assembly.

Cheers,

Arno
 
Thanks Arno for the advice regarding the bearing ring removal 1st. That's what I was doing wrong.

Problem now sorted, no special tools were needed other than a blow-lamp to expand the housing slightly allowing the bearing seal just to pop out with a bit of encouragement!

Seals all bedded in and bearing ring refitted. Thanks again.
 
Did the job several years ago, can't remember having a problem? Alway handy if you can find a socket of the correct size to drift seal in
 
Is there a normal change interval for these please? Or is it when the oil starts going milky? My new boat is 5 years/850 hours - should I be anticipating it?
Can you get them from industrial suppliers - anyone got dimensions or type numbers?
 
Unsure of change frequency, I had two seasons out of the sail drive which came attached to a recon engine which was fitted in 2011/12 however the previous use probably was 10+ years. You probably have another 5+ years therefore.
It was the emulsification of the sail drive oil that I noted mid season which had this job top of the agenda.... I was able to limp to the end of the season with a full syphon oil change every 12-15 hours of motoring without any apparent damage to the gearing or bearings at the south end.
The replacement seal kits are available at Keyparts:http://www.keypart.com for next day delivery.
 
I changed the first set myself but got a marine engineering firm to change them the second time. One thing that they did after bolting it all back together was a pressure test to check that they were sealing properly. Its worth having this done if there is any doubt about wear on the shaft.
 
Thanks everyone, looks as though I have a good chance of being OK for a while. I will watch out for cloudy oil, changing it is one of the first jobs to do.
BTW I have found another reference that says the seals are 2" x 1 1/4" x 3/8", can't vouch for it. That is a standard size although it doesn't seem to be one of the most common.
Not all makes have stainless springs of course.
 
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