Newfound Play From Prop on Drive Shaft...

[Jim]

Hi again, When it rains it pours. Also discovered today, just as I was finishing up bottom painting in preparation for launch, that my prop has a bit of play in it that I don't recall having before. It slides up and down the drive shaft about 3/8 of an inch. When its slid up the shaft, I can see a thread or two on the drive shaft between the prop and the retaining nut(s). Also, the prop has a little clockwise and counter/clockwise play on the shaft, which also seems to be new to me.  Never checked the prop at the end of last season, (shame on me), but it may be that I had hit something along the way to cause this. At any rate, haven't gotten to pulling things apart yet, but wondering if anyone out there has some experience with prop assemblies and what I might expect to find when I get going on this. It almost looks like there may have been a thick washer between the retaining nut(s) and the prop at one time. Or, it may that all I need to do is tighten the retaining nut(s) to stop the play along the shaft. However, those possibilities don't explain the clockwise/counter-clockwise play of the propeller along the shaft...  Once again, any inputs, more than welcome... Trying To Get Launched... Jim"Sojourn"

 

[ed bauer]

prop.play

You'r shaft is tapered aswell as the bore of the prop.You should be able to take additional turns on the prop.nut.take you'r prop.off the shaft & check the key-way in the shaft & the key for proper fit. Good luck.

 

[John Nantz]

Castle Nut and Cotter Pin

Is there a small hole through the threaded end of the prop? Standardly a prop is held on with a castle nut and cotter pin. The cotter pin keeps the nut from turning. There should be a washer between the nut and the prop. Found this link about putting the prop back on - the part about de-buring makes for interesting reading.

 

[Jim]

Thanks for the input...

Thanks much for the input. Managed to get the prop off the boat and reseated which did the trick! Seems that the prop worked its way down the shaft a bit, which caused all the play. Sanded off some bottom paint on the propeller shaft, which allowed me to reseat the prop further up the shaft where it apparently belonged. Then, just re-installed the holding nut and the lock nut behind it, along with the cotter pin and presto. Thanks much for the input and for the link. We're in the water now, so hopefully we've got it right...Jim"Sojourn"