Shaft Strutt

[Jeff]

When my propellor shaft is turned slowly by hand it makes a terrible grinding/screeching sound it would appear to me that by the two allen screws on the side of the strutt it either requires some kind of adjustment or do you remove the screws to install a grease nipple to grease the bearings & then reinstall the screws

 

[mike]

cutlass bearing set screws

jeff, dont quote me but i think you are talking about the cutlass bearing set screws. is there any play in the shaft? if so you may need to replace the bearing. it may be squeeking because it has rubber in side and with out water it may squek.cheers,mike"sound the alarm"

 

[Pete]

grinding/screeching sounds

Jeff,first DO NOT remove the set screw and install grease fitting! What you are most likely hearing is the cutlass bearing "screeching". The cutlass bearing is not getting lubricated because it is not in the water.This sound will be gone when you relaunch the boat. (try spraying the bearing with a hose and there should be no noise). Another thing to check is that the cutlass bearing is not worn out. Check for play in the prop shaft at the bearing. It may need to be replaced.

 

[Kevin]

dry cutlass bearing, my guess

Hello Jeff,I would agree with the others that the noise you are hearing is the noise of the dry rubber cutlass. The two set screws you see are most likely the set screws holding the cutlass in the strut. If you remove them you simply need to put them back in place. They lock to an outside bronze shell that supports and holds in rubber in place. Pour water into the forward portion of the bearing and the noise will go away until it gets dry again. I would suggest you do not use oil to lubricate the rubber because it is very difficult for the water to displace oil. Good luck. Kevin

 

[Don]

Could it be....

you have barnacles on you prop shaft where it goes into the shaft log? Make sure your shaft is centered in the hole and free of marine growth.