Posted Byjohn humphrys on June 24, 19102 at 08:54:24:
Firstly, thanks to Chuck Rothert for you previous
advice about buying the tool (basically a cork screw
on a cable) for the job. Don't even try removing old
packing without this tool.
I took the old packing out and it appeared to be 3/8".
So I greased my new 3/8" and could not get that into
the packing nut (or whatever you call it). I tried
hammering the thing to make it thinner, but the stuff
expands pretty quickly and I could not get into the
recess. I could get part of it in, maybe half way
around, but never all the way around.
Any tricks to use or should I drop down to 1/4".
I haven't seen 5/16" in the stores, but that might
be the right size. 1/4" seems small. The shaft
appears to have about a 1" just a little larger dia.
Any suggestions appreciated.
john