Stiff prop shaft

[Guest]

I am just starting the process of getting the elderly Petter out of my Hurley 24/70 for some TLC, but when I disconnected the prop shaft I found this was still extremely stiff to move (2 hands on the prop to turn it). I have a bog standard cutless bearing/stuffing box set up. Where is the most likely source of the friction?

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Stiff prop shaft - You should be so lucky!

If you’ve got it disconnected, wiggle it out and have a look see!

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

Easy, the answer is the point of contact.

I expect the grease is also stiff as grease will degrade in time. The shaft under normal use would be highly polished, I expect this has become tarnished as well.

Do not run a shaft in a stern glad without water cooling and water lubrication as you will end up with it being to loose. Turning by hand will do no harm.

I personally wouldn't be over concerned if it turns by hand.

Trevor.

 

[rich]

make sure the stuffing gland has not been tightend up to much. anyway take out the old packing, and renew,

 

[david_bagshaw]

Most likely source is a dry cutlass, particularly if boat has been out of water some time.


Wet cutlass a bit of detergent in water, try again , otherwise suspect over tightened stuffing box as already suggested.

David
www.yachtman.co.uk

 

[vyv_cox]

That's my guess, too, assuming you are now out of the water. Cutless bearings require to be wet to have low friction. A drop of washing-up liquid should resolve it.