Flushing Rudder Bearing

[Adam Ruscitto]

I know it's recommended to flush the top and bottom rudder bearings with fresh/soapy water when hauling out and leaving your boat on the hard, but I'm not exactly sure about the process. My J/40 has the old style stuffing box, do i pull the top half off, and remove the packing to flush the bearing from the inside/above?

I've never had any leaks from the rudder post and am hesitant to do anything that might introduce them, but want to prolong the life of the bearing as much as possible.

cheers,

Adam J/40 #33

[Larry Romano]

Hi

Yes you can unbolt, lift the top, remove the packing material and flush the bearing. Get new packing material when reassembling.

Good luck 

Larry 

J40#67

On May 15, 2026, at 8:35 PM, Adam Ruscitto <adamru...@gmail.com> wrote:

I know it's recommended to flush the top and bottom rudder bearings with fresh/soapy water when hauling out and leaving your boat on the hard, but I'm not exactly sure about the process. My J/40 has the old style stuffing box, do i pull the top half off, and remove the packing to flush the bearing from the inside/above?

I've never had any leaks from the rudder post and am hesitant to do anything that might introduce them, but want to prolong the life of the bearing as much as possible.

cheers,

Adam J/40 #33

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[Bill Bowers]

Hi Adam

J42 #3 has a lower bearing flushing hose mounted below the packing flange of the stuffing box. It is secured in the lazarette up under the deck. I will send a picture shortly. 

Reconfiguring the compression ring for a Jefa gaiter. 

Cheers

Bill Bowers

SV ConverJence

[Adam Ruscitto]

Thanks for the responses.  I’ll have to replace the packing in the fall, don’t think I’ll be able to source what I need down here in Mexico on short notice.

On May 17, 2026, at 03:08, Bill Bowers <wfb0...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Adam Ruscitto]

Can anyone with knowledge of this confirm the size of flax stuffing needed for the rudder post and total length required for the three rows? The J website states 3/16" packing material: Early J/s commonly used a “stuffing box” style seal where 3 alternating rows of 3/16” thick flax packing were compressed by a fiberglass ring with tension adjusted by a series of bolts on a top flange. The flax packing seams were staggered at 120 degrees around the rudder post and the compressed system would bear against the lower bearing SS sleeve.

However in a different post from a J/42 owner they stated they thought it was about 3/8" packing. The difference between 3/16 and 3/8 seems pretty significant and i want to make sure I get the correct material the first time.

thanks,

Adam

[Bill Bowers]

Hi Adam

The packing in J42 #3 was 3/8" Garlock square. The lower rudder stock SS rotation sleeve is 6.50" OD. so you need pi*6.50*3 = 61.26". It comes in a 10' roll.

Cheers

Bill

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