Mikebat
Member III
I have been trying since this weekend to loose the packing gland locknut, so I can tighten the packing gland and stop the drip from the shaft. Both the locknut and the gland nut are covered in green corrosion, as are the exposed threads. If it's ever been adjusted, it has been a very long time since the last one. I have soaked the thing repeatedly in WD-40 starting this weekend, and used a wire brush to clear the green stuff from the threads and exposed metal, but still cannot budge it.
I've seen a can of stuff at West Marine that claims to freeze and crack the rust through thermal effects, by evaporating the propellant I'd guess, but I wonder whether subjecting the packing gland to thermal stress while the boat is in the water is a good idea.
There's some other stuff I have which contains phosphoric acid which I haven't used yet, and it is also supposed to be for penetrating corrosion between fittings. Is that going to harm the bronze packing gland fittings?
Any other ideas for loosening my locknut and gland nut so I can stop the drip?
I've seen a can of stuff at West Marine that claims to freeze and crack the rust through thermal effects, by evaporating the propellant I'd guess, but I wonder whether subjecting the packing gland to thermal stress while the boat is in the water is a good idea.
There's some other stuff I have which contains phosphoric acid which I haven't used yet, and it is also supposed to be for penetrating corrosion between fittings. Is that going to harm the bronze packing gland fittings?
Any other ideas for loosening my locknut and gland nut so I can stop the drip?