Removing Old Packings If practical, remove the shaft, ram, or other sealed members from the installation, since this permits inspection and correction of any defects in the shaft or packing assembly. Although it is preferable to remove the sealed member, limitations of time, design of the installation, or problems of reassembly often make the removal impractical. After the gland or flange is removed, the chief problem usually encountered is removing the female adapter. If this ring is provided with holes, insert a suitable hoop of bent and flattened wire, or a threaded rod if the holes are tapped, and pull the ring back along the shaft. The packing can be removed using a U-shaped pick made of copper or brass wire. The pick should be small enough to enter the stuffing box, and the ends should be bent and flattened. The pick should be inserted behind the ring, and the ring removed. It is usually not necessary to remove the male adapter. If the adapters are not provided with holes or if removal is difficult, they may be removed by alternate methods, such as inserting a wire or piece of flat stock behind the adapter and pulling it out (if sufficient space exists), or by bumping the shaft or stuffing box to dislodge the adapter. All traces of the packing must be removed and the stuffing box cleaned and inspected for scratches, burrs, or sharp edges. Rough spots or sharp edges must be honed down with a fine Carborundum stone. It is usually not necessary to replace the metal support rings or adapters when packings are replaced unless inspection shows failure, defects, or excessive wear. Installing New Packings A  V-ring  packing  housing  generally  consists  of male adapters and female adapters. Either or both of the adapters   may   be   designed   as   part   of   the   gland   or stuffing  box.  The  adapters  position  and  support  the V-rings and form an efficient seal only when pressure spreads  the  lips  of  the  rings  firmly  against  the  shaft, ram, or piston and against the walls of the stuffing box. To function properly, the female (open) side of the rings must face the pressure. In double-acting installations, two opposing sets of packings are used with the open sides of each set facing away  from  each  other.  The  female  adapter  must  be inserted into the stuffing box first and seated properly. Each  packing  ring  must  then  be  inserted  individually. Each ring must be seated carefully before the next ring is inserted. The rings must be seated with the aid of a flat tool or stick. To eliminate air trapped between the rings as they are being inserted, collapse a short section of the ring by placing a thin rod of brass or other soft metal  between  the  lips  and  the  stuffing  box  wall.  The male adapter, if used, must then be properly seated. Extreme  care  must  be  exercised  on  installation  to insure that the rings are not forced over sharp edges. A light  coating  of  petrolatum  conforming  to  the  proper specification  may  be  used  if  necessary,  but  excessive use must be avoided. Care is also taken that the rings or stuffing box wall is not damaged in any way. Gland Installation Some   of   the   packings   of   the   engine   may   be spring-loaded. No gland adjustment is necessary on this type, since the springs normally allow sufficient float of the packing. If the gland is other than spring-tensioned, insert the gland and apply easy hand pressure until the gland  touches  the  packing.  Do  not  force  it.  If  there  is clearance between the flange of the gland and the body surface,  withdraw  the  gland  and  insert  one  or  more gaskets with a total thickness of from 1/64 to 3/64 inch greater than the distance between the gland flange and body surface. If there is metal-to-metal contact between gland   flange   and   body   upon   application   of   hand pressure, the gland must be removed and the depth of the  stuffing  box  must  be  measured.  The  length  of  the gland  from  the  inner  face  of  the  flange  to  the  surface that contacts the packing must be measured. This length must be subtracted from the depth of the stuffing box; if the   difference   exceeds   3/64   inch,   a   shim   of   the thickness  of  the  excess  must  be  removed  or  the  gland flange  must  be  machined  to  take  up  the  excess.  If  the gland  is  the  screw-in  type,  the  procedure  is  the  same except that the gland must be screwed in until contact with   the   packing   is   made   and   then   backed   off sufficiently  to  give  a  minimum  of  1/64-inch  and  a maximum  of  3/64-inch  clearance  between  the  gland and   the   packing.   The   amount   of   backup   may   be determined   by   counting   the   number   of   gland   nut threads to the inch. For instance, if there are 10 threads to   the   inch,   one   revolution   of   the   gland   will   give 1/10-inch clearance. If possible, the gland nuts should be lock-wired to prevent rotation. General Precautions Regarding V-Ring Packing If   leakage   appears   at   the   V-ring   packing   joint, check the gland flange for metal-to-metal contact with the body. Rework or replace parts as necessary, and if leakage continues, remove and examine the packing for damage   or   wear.   A   small   leakage   or   "weeping" 3-59