Loose propeller to shaft (vibration)

[Chris Baranyar]

I have a 182 Searay bow rider that I bought new back in 2003. Over he last 2 years were spent installing a new motor. It is still in break in period. I brought the RPKM's up to 3600 so far with n issues. At that point a vibration started and is still there at any rpm. I noticed the hub within the propeller is loose on the shaft. Is the hub replaceable or does the propeller need to be replaced as well? This propeller is the original and there are no nicks or dents on the prop.

 

[kmarine]

It depends on the prop. The older props had rubber hubs not replacable. new aluminium props are relatively in expensive or maybe you could see if your local prop rebuild shop has a demo available to test.

 

[jimmbo]

If it is a Rubber Hub, a Prop Shop can replace the Hub, if if is a shredable hub, just get a new one from a dealer selling that brand of prop

 

[Chris1956]

Modular hub props need to be tight enough, not to vibrate. You might check it for tightness.

 

[ahicks]

When you replaced the motor, did you check out the gimbal bearing and u-joints?

 

[Texasmark]

When you replaced the motor, did you check out the gimbal bearing and u-joints?

Very good point there and unless things have changed, As I recall every once in awhile you need to remove the outdrive to get to zerks on the CV joint that protrudes with the drive shaft when removing the outdrive.

A good clue to this is vibration as a function of steering angle. A bad CV will get worse as the steering angle gets greater. A loose prop is especially noisy when maneuvering where you are running F_R_F gears. Torque on the prop nut for mid sized Mercs that I have/had is 55 ft-lbs torque. That's on tight, no slop. If you grasp the prop and push forward with a bit of force, on these engines there is small, spring loaded movement which is normal and you release pressure and the prop springs back out. It's the gap required for your shifting clutch dog in the lower unit to function when decelerating.