prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

[TilliamWe]

How much labor time should I expect to pay to replace a bent propshaft on my 1989 OMC Cobra drive? The shop says gears are ok, just bent shaft. Anything else to have them check? Or any other parts needed? Thanks

 

[tommays]

Re: prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

your in a fresh water area hopefully the drive will come apart without breaking anything which can use up the most UNPLANED time<br /><br />i would have all the seals done and you should consider the bearings not much money compared to the labor of the tear down<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

Ok, on that note, how much tear down time? <br /><br /><br />And no, the drive is not in terrible shape, it should not be too difficult to get apart. Or at least the shop didn't warn me or discuss that with me!

 

[Don S]

Re: prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

If all you need is a shaft, and the bearings and gears are ok, they you will need the shaft, a complete lower seal kit, new gear lube and the gaskets to put it back on the boat with.<br />The lower has to come completely apart to replace the shaft, so you will probably be looking at a minimum of 4 to 6 hours.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

Ok, thanks. That was a little more time than I expected, maybe that's why the shop wouldn't say exactly. At $69/hr, that's gonna add up. Darn it!

 

[seahorse5]

Re: prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

Change the forward and pinion gear if the shaft was bent. It may work fine for a while, but chances are the gears with break a tooth after a few months of running. Reverse gear runs with a "loose" gear lash and it not usually affected.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

Really???? My shop didn't say that. They told me the shaft was bent, but that the gears would be ok.

 

[Don S]

Re: prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

Many times the impact that caused the shaft to bend will fatigue the gear teeth on the forward gear that was intact with the pinion gear and can cause them to fail prematurely.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: prop shaft replacement OMC Cobra

Well, the shop finally gave me some details. $345 for the shaft, 5 hours labor, seal kit of some sort. They felt the gears are ok, and don't need to be replaced right now. If they fail later, I'll just have them replaced then. The boat doesn't get a lot of use, so premature, may mean years for me!