rudder packing gland service
I have and E32 1987. I repacked my rudder shaft gland but mine has the packing in the lower part(in the top of the rudder tube). The upper part has a smaller diameter flange against the shaft which fitted down onto the packing and into the lower, female part compressing the packing against the shaft it as the three bolts were tightened. I added compression nuts to the tightening bolts so I could hold them in place not fully seated. This way I maintained a specific pressure which sealed the shaft while still allowing the rudder to turn freely. I replaced the rusted away grease fitting with a new one threaded directly into the rudder tube next to the old one. With the gland bolts loosened, I pumped most of a 14 oz. tube of water proof grease into the rudder tube until it oozed past the gland and also showed at the rebuilt brass bearing at the bottom, where the rudder meets the boat(vessel was on the hard). The rudder shaft had no signs of old grease and I suspect the boat was originally launched without grease in the tube! That would contribute to the rusting away of the grease fitting, especially since the grease fitting in the shaft top, cockpit bearing was intact. The original owner was very meticulous and thorough and I suspect he never realized exactly where the water was coming in and discoloring the floor and furniture bottoms.
Also, salt water had corroded the two lower bolt holes of the 4 bolt attachment assembly of my quadrant(see quadrant corrosion thread). I was able to repair the quadrant with the help of a machine shop saving hundreds of dollars which a new, custom made one would have cost. If anyone has a similar problem, I'll post details of the repair.