Greasing Kiwi Prop
- Thread starter Ken13559
- Start date
- Status
Pump the marine grease into the predrilled hole on each blade. The hole is positioned toward the end of the metal shaft for each blade. When you pump eventually you will see grease flow out the bottom of the blade closest to the hub. There are other grease holes on the hub itself. Pump those till you see it flow out other holes on the hub. Make sure the blades can turn freely after you grease them. I think i pumped too much grease in when i first tried and the blades didnt move freely so i pulled the blades off and wiped some grease off, then everything was fine. The blades are only swinging on a metal shaft. The gears are all in the hub. You can test the action on the blades by grabbing the two halves of the hub and rotating them in opposite directions. This will reverse the blade pitch. It will feel tight but you can check to ensure all is working properly. The first time i did it i was worried i would launch the boat only to find i did something wrong. To my surprise it worked fine. Now it is an annual maintenance item like the rest and i dont worry about it. Just dont loose the special grease gun head fitting - kiwi's grease gun fitting makes greasing easier. Ive done it with a standard one but it doesn't fit as well. The standard needle is too long.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Removing the blades and cleaning the shafts is a better choice if you have the prop on the bench. Then you remove the grease screws fill the shaft race about 1/2 full and let the excess squeeze out through the screw holes when you push the blades back on.
On the body I just keep pumping until I have squeeze out pretty much the whole circumference. Clamp the hub and rotate the blade carrier to reverse and back several times.
My guess is I waste more grease than I leave. I use a smaller one-handed grease gun since I also do it in the water in between bench reworks and need the other hand to hold on.
On the body I just keep pumping until I have squeeze out pretty much the whole circumference. Clamp the hub and rotate the blade carrier to reverse and back several times.
My guess is I waste more grease than I leave. I use a smaller one-handed grease gun since I also do it in the water in between bench reworks and need the other hand to hold on.
I've a common made in germany hand held greaser pump that takes a grease cartridge. I do notice there isn't much pressure when pumping.
I've the prop on bench. Had removed the blades for cleaning and greasing. Won't be opening the hub as that would be a problem.
Will do the pumping and see how it is.
I've the prop on bench. Had removed the blades for cleaning and greasing. Won't be opening the hub as that would be a problem.
Will do the pumping and see how it is.
Do NOT open the hub! That probably would not end well. The blades are designed to easily come off. The hub can be easily greased if your grease gun works properly. I have two. One i couldnt get pressure to work. One was perfect. Maybe borrow a grease gun from a friend to see if it made a difference.
- Status