Volvo Stern Gland Problem?

[goeasy123]

Is there a solution to this problem or a way to mitigate a leaking stern gland that it causes?

On my Najad 400, with a P bracket, my prop shaft is not aligned with the stern tube. Consequently, the shaft is not centered in the Volvo stern gland when it exits the gland at the lip seals. It bear harder on the top of the stern gland lip seal than on the bottom. I can't center the shaft at the lip seal as then the shaft exiting the boat would intersect with the the bottom edge of the stern tube. The gland wears prematurely and starts leaking after a couple of years.

 

[ctva]

The alignement has to be done at the engine and is relatively simple for an engineer. Until that is sorted there is no solution..

My last Volvo seal was replaced at 20 years old not because it was leaking but I thought I just should.

 

[Tranona]

Before doing the alignment of the engine, you need to centralise the shaft in the tube using either temporary wedges or a custom made split collar. Procedure is to slide the seal down the shaft but leave clearance between the seal and the tube sufficient to get your wedges in, attach the coupling to the shaft and against the coupling on the gearbox, centralise the shaft in the tube and align the engine. Remove the wedges and attach the seal to the tube. A bit tedious but straightforward once you do it.

 

[goeasy123]

Before doing the alignment of the engine, you need to centralise the shaft in the tube using either temporary wedges or a custom made split collar. Procedure is to slide the seal down the shaft but leave clearance between the seal and the tube sufficient to get your wedges in, attach the coupling to the shaft and against the coupling on the gearbox, centralise the shaft in the tube and align the engine. Remove the wedges and attach the seal to the tube. A bit tedious but straightforward once you do it.

I know how to do this. That's not the problem. With the P bracket fixing one end of the shaft, if I could center the shaft in the inboard end of the stern tube the shaft would pass through the edge of the stern tube on the out side of the boat.

 

[Tranona]

I know how to do this. That's not the problem. With the P bracket fixing one end of the shaft, if I could center the shaft in the inboard end of the stern tube the shaft would pass through the edge of the stern tube on the out side of the boat.

Sorry, then that is a poorly built boat to be so far out. You can't do anything about it apart from cutting out the P bracket and re-installing it in line with the stern tube (easier than cutting out the stern tube and installing it in line with the P bracket). Suggest you change to a face seal such as a PSS which does not run on the shaft so is not dependent in the tube and P bracket being in line.