Bent Strut |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | ||
Dan in CT
Groupie Joined: November-12-2012 Location: East Hampton, C Status: Offline Points: 77 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: July-09-2016 at 11:28pm |
|
Hey folks,
1981 ski nautique I removed my propeller shaft today, the new ARE is being shipped. Found my strut has a pretty good twist. Bearing worn on opposite sides front to back. I am going to look around for a pro to straighten but has anyone been sucessful in fixing a strut at home? I've got a big vice, the old shaft, and some heat...seems like this might be something that could be done. If someone has one laying around let me know. After the cost of the shaft, my wife is going to be less than thrilled about another $500 for a new strut ( if even available). Thanks, Dan |
||
Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Can you see the bend or is it measurable? Could it be that it wasn't mounted 90* to the bottom?
|
||
8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Dan,
Gary has a very valid point regarding how the strut was mounted. Take a real close look at it before condemning the strut. If it is bent/twisted, give the straightening it yourself a try. I've known guys who have straightened them while they were still attached to the hull!! A big 48" pipe wrench and a cheater pipe! Not something I would recommend but it's been done. |
||
gun-driver
Grand Poobah Joined: July-18-2008 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Status: Offline Points: 4127 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Sounds like it could have been a misalignment problem
|
||
Dan in CT
Groupie Joined: November-12-2012 Location: East Hampton, C Status: Offline Points: 77 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I can see the twist in the casting. It is clearly damaged. I hit a rock last year. I got the prop fixed but it was not quite right since. Seems to be getting worse, Probably the bearing wearing. Dan
|
||
MrMcD
Grand Poobah Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3735 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
The old prop shaft could work as a 60 inch bar to bend your strut. Good Luck
|
||
Morfoot
Grand Poobah Joined: February-06-2004 Location: South Lanier Status: Offline Points: 5320 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Just my 2 cents.......... I never tried straightening the strut myself after a friend drove the 88' too close to shore and bent it, the prop and the shaft after trying to grind a stump with my prop. years ago. I just bought a new pricey one and replaced it and the shaft and had the prop refurbished. ....... I bent the strut and prop on the 72 last summer and sent both struts to Delta Props. They were able to straighten both and installed a new cutless bearing ( at no cost as I pushed the old ones out). They didn't charge me much to do it and I was back on the water in the 72 in 2 weeks. That's why we all need 2 CC's....Ya gotta have a spare!
|
||
"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
|
||
SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
It takes a lot more force than you think to move the metal. Let the pro's do it.
|
||
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
||
baitkiller
Platinum Member Joined: October-11-2011 Location: SW Florida Status: Offline Points: 1693 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
This: Leave it in place and twist it back. Its easier than many think. Because of my boating venue I have become quite proficient at the process. I use a 15" crescent wrench and cheater pipe. But if I had an old shaft it would be my first choice. Put a new bearing in it and twist it back until the shaft is perfectly centered. (cold). |
||
Jesus was a bare-footer.............
|
||
8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
But: “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world. ” ― Archimedes |
||
Dan in CT
Groupie Joined: November-12-2012 Location: East Hampton, C Status: Offline Points: 77 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
My first choice is to get the pro to straighten the strut out. I'll report back whether successful or not to find "a guy". If not, I'll give it a try. Does the forum's senior engineer (Peter) recommend heat? I could get the whole casting to 500 in the oven. Otherwise its a torch. Not sure if it much matters, its a big chunk of metal!
|
||
8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Dan,
No on the heat. |
||
Dan in CT
Groupie Joined: November-12-2012 Location: East Hampton, C Status: Offline Points: 77 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Dropped the strut off at Hale Propeller in Old Saybrook, CT. Based on what I saw on the shelf, I hope their equipment works on "1"! There were bent struts that I doubt I could lift! Will report back. Dan
|
||
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Sooooo. I hit some stumps and the strut is bent. I have the prop off and at Rob's shop, Can I get a jack from the trailer frame to the strut and apply pressure? If that does not work, can I ship the strut somewhere to have it straightened? I still don't know if the shaft is true or not.
Tom |
||
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
||
Orlando76
Grand Poobah Joined: May-21-2013 Location: Mount Dora, FL Status: Offline Points: 3108 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Isn't there a prop and strut place in Tampa that all the local shops send their stuff too? Maybe Admirals?
|
||
Please support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1993 Ski Nautique purple and black 351 HO PCM |
||
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I guess I can give them a try. |
||
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
||
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I am inclined to try this first. So leave everything in place including the shaft, and just twist it back? Failing that, what is the cost to send the old one out for repairs vs. $350 new at Skidim? |
||
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
||
Orlando76
Grand Poobah Joined: May-21-2013 Location: Mount Dora, FL Status: Offline Points: 3108 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
It seems to me I recall $75? Maybe that's for them to install new cutlass. Either way their prices seemed fair and the turn around time was quick enough even with shipping it was reasonable enough to ship it vs drive there.
|
||
Please support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1993 Ski Nautique purple and black 351 HO PCM |
||
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Thanks Todd, I called them and they said it was a function of shop time and said anywhere from $85 to $120ish. They also had a pickup and delivery from my local marina (I think you went there to look at a boat in Winter Haven). I should have it back Tuesday with the bearings installed. |
||
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
||
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I turned the shaft with a wrench and I can not see any problems. Although the prop strike bent the prop and the torque twisted the strut, it seems like the shaft survived. Do I have to remove the shaft to use a dial indicator? I will brush up on engine alignment, the prop lapping thread and I will keep the strut bearing wet when checking the new prop and strut, Anything else?
|
||
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
||
Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13513 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Can you see .003" by eye?
|
||
8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Tom, Have you straightened the strut? For the shaft, use a dial indicator clamped to the strut and it can be done with the shaft in the boat. With a prop strike, the typical shaft bend is aft of the strut so check there first. |
||
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Uh...............yes.................can't you? Oh. I forgot you did not get the Bionic Man treatment. |
||
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
||
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Hey Pete. The strut comes back from Admiral on Tuesday with the new cutlass bearings pre installed. . My plan was to install the strut over the shaft and put on the new prop and go run it, but I can get a dial indicator from Harbor Freight. So clamping the dial indicator to the strut will work? I've never used one. Will this work? HF Dial Indicator |
||
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
||
Frankenotter
Platinum Member Joined: August-26-2012 Location: Milwaukee Status: Offline Points: 1072 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
HF dial indicators will probably work for our applications. However, if you take a bit of time and check Craigslist, you can usually find a used Starrett for slightly more. They're useful for a ton of different projects. The difference between a proper US made and Chinese-ium is the Starrett doesn't get harder to depress as deflection increases. Not critical in our projects, but nice. I notice a difference between my Grizzly and Starrett
|
||
1999 Ski Nautique 196
|
||
8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Tom,
Chris is correct regarding the quality of the HF but also that it will work. It will be interesting to find out the condition of your shaft. |
||
Frankenotter
Platinum Member Joined: August-26-2012 Location: Milwaukee Status: Offline Points: 1072 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Tom make sure to check runout just in front of the strut, just behind the strut, and on the actual taper where the prop attaches. These were the spots I noticed the most runout on the 2 shafts I tested. The promo shaft was straight as an arrow the entire length until the taper. Then it was waaaaaaaay out.
Give me a call if you need help. Chris |
||
1999 Ski Nautique 196
|
||
Frankenotter
Platinum Member Joined: August-26-2012 Location: Milwaukee Status: Offline Points: 1072 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Also rotate the shaft from the transmission and not the prop. If you have ANY play in your cutlass it will skew your results when you add pressure to the prop.
|
||
1999 Ski Nautique 196
|
||
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
OK, I will check it Tuesday and let you guys know. If worse comes to worse, I guess I will get an ARE shaft.
|
||
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
||
MrMcD
Grand Poobah Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3735 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
On my boat the trailer has a brace directly under my prop shaft. It worked well to mount a magnetic mount dial indicator and check my shaft run out.
|
||
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |