Packing gland

[bestfriend]

I thought I would ask FIRST this time, before I end up with a thread about fixing another problem I have created. I want to tighten the gland but not sure what is what. Heres a photo:



So which nut am I turning, which is a lock nut? I am guessing I wrench the nut on the far left and the next one to the right is the locking nut(yes, loosen first). Are the threads supposed to rotate too, or am I turning around the threads. Looks like the nut on the left tightens onto the threads and they are stationary.

[RickBowman]

bestfriend,
The big 6 sided hex nut, maybe 1/2" wide, is what holds or is suppose to hold the stuffing box in position and is the lock nut. The stuffing glands are inside of the stuffing box and are squeezed against the threaded shaft that in your picture is on the right hand side with a hose clamp arround it.
The threads should not rotate at all.
The lock nut and the stuffing box both have the same pitch threads as the stationary shaft does. It's really a very straight forward affair.
I would start by cleaning up the threads and taking some sort of a weeping compound that will assist in breaking the locknut free from the stuffing box.
Watch those knuckles!

[bestfriend]

Thanks Rick, that makes sense.

[DeepFrz]

Check out these links. They should help.
Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box Photo Gallery by Maine Sailing at pbase.com

Stuffing box help - Cruisers & Sailing Forums