Drive shaft install

So tonight I was trying to install my new drive shaft. I already put in a 2 piece Xpc strut bearing. When I tried to install the shaft it was like it was too tight and would only go in the strut halfway. The old cutlas bearing did not come out easy and it was extremely worn so I thought it may be in a bind. So I loosened the strut and this allowed me to get the shaft all the way through the strut but it was still too tight. It needed to go another 6 inches and it was so tight it wouldn't turn.

I verified the dimensions of the shaft and strut bearing and I ordered the right ones and I did.

I am worried the strut is somehow bent. Am I doing something wrong on the install. Is there something I need to do on the bearing. Any thoughts?

No the hull log is out and I had my wife hold it centered in the hole, also I have loosened the strut so I can align it and it's still tight on the cutlass.

Well I'm using a digital caliper so not quite as accurate but I have an inside mic I could use for the bearing. The shaft was reading a smidge over 1 one on the shaft. Like 1.05 I think. But I actually slipped my old shaft in what had wear on it and it did the exact same thing. This is what made me concerned about the strut. How do you think I should proceed. Think I should talk to skidim about the bearing

I highly doubt that 2 shafts are out of spec by the same amount, or are bent in the same place, causing the same problem on the same boat. My guess is that something else is to blame.

Pete, who had issues with the 1" vesconite bushings? Hopefully youre not referring to me. I traced my issue back to a bent strut. The body itself was bent, causing binding front to rear in the bushing areas.

I would recommend removing the strut from the boat entirely, now that youve loosened it up. See if you can get the strut and shaft to play nicely without any of the other variables. If they bind together, then youve got one of 3 issues. The shaft is too large, the bushing is too small, or something is bent. If 2 different shafts display the same exact symptoms, it would point to either the bushing being too small (as installed, this could either be an out of spec bushing, or an out of spec ID on the strut), or the strut is bent.

Let us know what you find out!

FYI, Joe's vesconite bushings will allow him to spin the prop with one finger. Give it a good spin and it will rotate 3 times before coming to a stop. No play at all. Im a big fan of those bushings!

Well the shaft is a brand new are shaft so I assume it's straight. And since the old shaft and new shaft do the exact same thing

TRBenj wrote: I traced my issue back to a bent strut. The body itself was bent, causing binding front to rear in the bushing areas.

Tim how were you able to determine this? by ruling out all other variables?

TRBenj wrote: If 2 different shafts display the same exact symptoms, it would point to either the bushing being too small (as installed, this could either be an out of spec bushing, or an out of spec ID on the strut), or the strut is bent.

These are the two most likely conditions as I have ruled out the shaft by both shafts behaving the same. I suppose if I remove one of the bushings and it behaves normally it is the strut, either bent or something out of spec. Is it bad to be putting the bushing in, back out and then back in again?

hmm this is sounding plausible. Do you think it is silly to remove one of the bushings and check it out of the strut? Wish I would have before I installed them.

I agree that it appears to be binding as soon as the full diameter of the shaft starts to engage the aft bushing. Another sign that the body of the strut may be bent.

I would take the strut off the boat and play with it- see if you can figure out where its binding and why. If you put the strut in the freezer you should be able to get the bushings back out- thats what we did. If they sit on the shaft just fine (not installed in the strut) that may be another sign that the strut is the issue.

ok so there must be something bent in the strut. i cannot see it with my naked eye. I took out the bushings and they spin very freely on the shaft, so it isnt them.
I think the problem starts somewhere at the halfway point but I cant figure out what it is. So it must be minor.

Think it could be bored back straight?

Or should I give up and get a new one.

anyone have a good used unbent strut they want to sell?

Justin -   I would check the straightness of the bore by putting the shaft through it without the bushings. Crowd the shaft to 12. 3, 6, 9 o'clock positions. If the bore is bent then the strut/shaft will rock at some point.

Another possibly is that one of the bushings was distorted by a burr. I'd clean up the bore some more (check around the set screws) & press the bushings back in & try it again. Pete's suggestion to ream them is good, but a much easier solution (if it is the bushings) is to buy the brass/rubber ones . . .

Good luck, I hope you get it to work, as new struts are pretty pricey.    A new one may not line up with your existing holes either.

Justin,    In which direction are you trying to install the shaft ?    From the log to the strut ?   

Justin
I have a strut new cutlass bearings probably 2hrs on them, this strut seemed to line up just a little to the left in the log. hardly any, I have pics posted somewhere on this site, but You could have it for 75 plus the ride
Mike

justin the thread is called strut shimming
Sorry have not tried to figure out installing a link I need to do that
Mike

Email or phone 352-361-8068 croft922@aol.com
If you look at that post on strut shimming the last pic is with the strut installed no washers. The strut lines up.
Mike

did you tighten the allen screws that hold the bushing to much?