Leaking stern bearing SO 35

[henrik2802]

I noticed a leak around the stern bearing. The Volvo gland seems OK, but water is coming in along the outside surface of the bearing (see the green area on the bearing)

A lot of silicone rubber has been applied around the bearing from the factory, but the water comes in anyway - mostly when the prop is engaged.

Would it help to tighten the 2 bolts? (one bolt partly covered by silicone rubber)

Should I replace the silicone?

Any hint would be welcome.

[ianpowolny]

How old is the boat? The last surveyor we had on board told us that these glands need to be changed periodically - I think he said every 5 years but ours is from 2008 and still looks good.

[henrik2802]

Thanks for the advice. The boat is from 2005 and maybe the bearing needs to be serviced. I still believe that the Volvo gland is OK and that the leakage is around the bearing tube going through the hull. I will replace the silicone rubber when the boat is on land.

[On y va]

Do you know whether or not the seal has ever been replaced since 2005. As when it hasn´t, you really ought to think about it anyway. The rubber will stiffen over the years. You cannot service these things, except putting a little bit of grease into the end lip.

If the unit is really 9 years old, I would go for a new one the next time the boat comes out.

[Peter123]

A friend of mine with a J SO 35 of about that age had a problem where it was the plastic stern tube that was the cause of the leak, not the gland itself. He found that the plastic tube that the gland is bolted to was just seated in some sikaflex. I suggest you check very carefully that the plastic stern tube if properly fixed in because if it isnt and it comes away you may sink rather rapidly.

[vsergio]

I have same the same problem on my 2003. Was wondering if you were able to fix the leak and how did you do it.

Thanks

[ianqv]

Hi,
It sounds like you have one of two problems here.
The Volvo seal could be the problem, but to be honest when these wear they normally leak from the other end.
What I suspect (and has already been mentioned) it’s your stern tube which is leaking. Sadly a known problem with Jeanneau’s.
It’s an easy repair…. Pull your prop shaft out from the stern tube. Undo the two nuts which are currently covered in silicon sealer.
Then push the stern tube out. Clean the stern tube and the hull so that it is thoroughly clean and dry. Apply the correct sealer (don’t be shy with applying the sealer!!).
Fit the stern tube but do NOT tighten the nuts up at this stage.
Fit your new Volvo stern gland (as this will now centralise the stern tube around the prop shaft). Now tighten up the nuts on the stern tube.

When you re-launch, don’t forget to “burp” the stern gland.

Regards

Ian

[vsergio]

Ian,



Thank you very much for the detailed description and advise. Greatly appreciated. Decided to pull the boat out next week and deal with this problem.



Best Regards,



Sergio-Vancouver/Canada

[vsergio]

Does anyone knows if, to remove the shaft I would have to remove the rudder as well on Jeanneau SO35?

Thx

[mickbond]

Hi I had the same problem with my SO35. You do not need to remove the prop shaft to re seal the stern tube. With the boat out of the the water slacken off the Volvo seal and push it off the stern tube. Then remove the two nuts securing the stern tube and slide this down the prop shaft towards the prop. you can now remove the old sealant from the tube and the hull. On my boat the hole for the tube was larger than the tube and lots of sealant was needed. You can then re tighten the two nuts to secure the tube. Ensure it is concentric with the propshaft. I didn't tighten it fully up but left it till the next day for the final tightening to ensure a good seal. Then re attach the Volvo seal, job done.

[vsergio]

Thank you. Since I will be pulling out the boat (Jan 05/16) I was also planning the replace the cutlass bearing as well. So the question still stands, to remove the shaft do I need to remove the rudder as well?

[reverie]

Hello vsergio,

To replace the cutlass bearing, you do not need to remove the prop shaft. You only need to remove the propeller. The cutlass bearing will then slide off the aft end of the prop shaft. I have now replaced both the cutlass bearing as well as the shaft seal, and have yet to remove the shaft from the boat.

I do not know if I would need to remove the rudder to remove the shaft - but I suspect this would be the case.

John
Reverie
2004 SO35

[vsergio]

Great, thank you. Will post in January pics of the entire procedure. Fraser Fibreglass here in Vancouver will replace the existing stern tube with a fiberglass one that will be epoxied in place. This should stop the leak permanently.


Sergio

2003 SO35/Vancouver Canada

[sitara]

With the prop off, the cutlass bearing out and the shaft seal off there may be enough play in the system to slide the shaft past the rudder. Has anyone tried this?

[kupo2kupo]

Yes, the prop shaft can be pulled without dropping the rudder once the bearing and the propeller have been removed.