lower unit question

[michaeli84]

This past weekend i got into some shallow water and tore up my prop a little. I noticed when i turn the prop now theres a click,click,click sound it turns very smooth and it seems tight enough just a little play when i pull on it. Is this normal or do you think i might have messed up a bearing? the ride in was fine im just curious because i dont remember if this happened befor i hit the bottom. Also i have a metal hub in the prop not plastic so their was some friction in the lower unit when it hit. I know they make a plastic hub now so that it would break befor the unit or prop. Thank you Mike

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: lower unit question

The clicking or ratcheting sound is normal when out of gear and you turn the prop.

 

[ziggy]

Re: lower unit question

The clicking or ratcheting sound is normal when out of gear and you turn the prop

?
my 1 drive makes no sound at all when in neutral and you spin the prop in any direction. it freewheels. in fwd or rev. it does make a pronounced ratcheting sound when turned the wrong way though. this is what i think is normal for my drive.
perhaps other drives do that when out of gear, i don't know and have 0 experience with other drives. maybe the op will let us in on what drive he has?
to me, if it didn't make any sound before the strike, and it does make noise now. something must be amiss and further investigation would be warranted.. imho..

a little end play in the prop shaft is normal for my 1 drive.

I know they make a plastic hub now so that it would break before the unit or prop.

i've got one of them plastic hub props. a flo-torqII. i've not had a prop strike recently, but i don't have the allusion/illusion (one of them words) that it will save my drive and certainly not my prop if i do strike something. it's better insurance than nothing. but i'd guess i could mangle a prop just as well as the next guy.. i also run a aluminum wheel hoping the blades will break off before drive damage. but my guess on that is i could still cause damage to the drive if i hit something. again, imho..

 

[michaeli84]

Re: lower unit question

thank you for your input. I rechecked it and it only clicks when i turn it ccw, or reverse. The only thing im worried about with the plastic hub is if i do hit something again and it isnt to severe and the hub goes then i cant make it back to the launch. This time i was able to and i really didnt notice to much of a difference just a little vibration. I just wanted to make sure the lower unit wasnt ruined. I also broke off the tip of the skeg all the way at the bottom not much to worry about though. Thanx for the input everyone much appreciated! mike..