Volvo Saildrive 120S wobbly propeller?

[rpoperdigao]

Hi!

I have a saildrive 120S and it seems that or the line cutter or the propeller hub got worn out (or both) and now when I place the nut at the end of the shaft, it gets to the end of the threads without properly holding the propeller hub in place and there is some play. The shaft itself does not have any play. I bought a new line cutter hopping that it would fix the issue but unfortunately it still has some play.

When I check the manual drawings, it looks like the conic line cutter should have the bigger side close to the saildrive and the shorter side closer to the propeller hub.

However, I also noticed that if I rotate the line cutter, this play gets solved since the propeller hub gets pushed to the thin coned metal instead of pushing the solid thrust washer.

Do you have any tips on how I should fix this? Should I keep the line cutter the other way around? It won't prevent a line of getting into the saildrive sealing but stops the wobbly propeller... If you have any tips on how to solve this I would really appreciate!

 

[dod]

Hi!

I have a saildrive 120S and it seems that or the line cutter or the propeller hub got worn out (or both) and now when I place the nut at the end of the shaft, it gets to the end of the threads without properly holding the propeller hub in place and there is some play. The shaft itself does not have any play. I bought a new line cutter hopping that it would fix the issue but unfortunately it still has some play.

When I check the manual drawings, it looks like the conic line cutter should have the bigger side close to the saildrive and the shorter side closer to the propeller hub.

However, I also noticed that if I rotate the line cutter, this play gets solved since the propeller hub gets pushed to the thin coned metal instead of pushing the solid thrust washer.

Do you have any tips on how I should fix this? Should I keep the line cutter the other way around? It won't prevent a line of getting into the saildrive sealing but stops the wobbly propeller... If you have any tips on how to solve this I would really appreciate!

You need nylon washer spacers. Very common. Spacers are positioned between prop and nut. Usually 2 with mesh should be enough. Look up volvo saildrive kits or maintenance kits and you will find them.

 

[Tranona]

Hi!

I have a saildrive 120S and it seems that or the line cutter or the propeller hub got worn out (or both) and now when I place the nut at the end of the shaft, it gets to the end of the threads without properly holding the propeller hub in place and there is some play. The shaft itself does not have any play. I bought a new line cutter hopping that it would fix the issue but unfortunately it still has some play.

When I check the manual drawings, it looks like the conic line cutter should have the bigger side close to the saildrive and the shorter side closer to the propeller hub.

However, I also noticed that if I rotate the line cutter, this play gets solved since the propeller hub gets pushed to the thin coned metal instead of pushing the solid thrust washer.

Do you have any tips on how I should fix this? Should I keep the line cutter the other way around? It won't prevent a line of getting into the saildrive sealing but stops the wobbly propeller... If you have any tips on how to solve this I would really appreciate!

Don't think it is anything to do with the line cutter. The hub bushing of the propeller seems to have broken down.

 

[rpoperdigao]

Don't think it is anything to do with the line cutter. The hub bushing of the propeller seems to have broken down.

This is how the propeller hub looks like. Is the solution to get a new propeller hub? Or is it possible to find some other type of fixing?

 

[Boater Sam]

Prop hub is worn away, needs packing sleeves as has been said or a new prop if it is really bad. Do NOT fit the line cutter the oposite way round.

 

[sawduster]

Unfortunately I'm likely to be the bearer of bad news having gone through this pain last year...

If you can establish that it's definitely not movement of the prop against the shaft i.e. the prop splines are firmly fixed to the shaft, then it's the rubber bushing. VP saildrive props use a hard rubber bushing between the shaft and prop body - this has two uses, electrical isolation and to shear if the prop hits something so the saildrive gearing isn't damaged.

Our prop came out wobbly like that last year, we thing because we overused it at high revs when the prop was dirty towards the end of the season, plus it was over propped by the previous owner anyway. This strained the rubber bushing, which feels like a design flaw as it's not really an impact.

We took it as an opportunity to upgrade to the new hub model with curved blades (not backwards compatible to the square blades we had/you have) and a better prop size. £1500 down and no problems this year at least.

Edit: to add I tried a few companies but I couldn't find anyone would could replace the bushing in the UK.

 

[Tranona]

This is how the propeller hub looks like. Is the solution to get a new propeller hub? Or is it possible to find some other type of fixing?

You might try here darglow.co.uk to see if it can be rebushed, or you may be able to buy just a new hub and reuse your existing blades and pins. If it is not economically repairable then suggest you replace it with a Flexofold which is a much better propeller than the Volvo one.

 

[RAFFY]

FYB Marine list new hubs as available £705