Volvo Saildrive 120se wobbly propeller?

[chrisbitz]

I had a play with my (folding) prop this weekend, and noticed that it doesn't seem particularly tight.

There's no sliding play fore/aft, and the nut holding it and its locknut are both tight. The movement is a rotational yaw type of movement. So if you hold the tip of the propellers when folded, they move up and down and left and right, pivoting around a point somewhere on the centre along the splines. (and the other end of the propeller assembly also moves the opposite way to the tip of the propeller)

I hope I've explained this in enough detail to make sense?

there's no pay in the splines regarding engine rotation, so I'm not sure they're worn?

What could it be? is there a washer missing or something?

 

[Stork_III]

No washers should be present but the line cutter has a integral spacer to allow the end shaped nut to correctly nip up the hub. If you have the Ambassador rope cutter fitted the spacer is still required.

See here http://www.volvopentashop.com/Volsp...oriesCatalog/11595?path=5648/6605/11499/11595

 

[chrisbitz]

thanks Stork,

That looks exactly like what I have - I don't have an additional line cutter installed.

Both nut and locknut are done up tight... any ideas why it's still wobbly? Is the line cutter spacer meant to fit into a slot or something?

 

[richardbrennan]

The exploded view is confusing as it is labeled for a two bladed prop but is obviously for a three bladed one. I have the three bladed version with an Ambassador Rope Cutter, there is a spacer required when this is fitted that Ambassador supply. However, I also have an even wider spacer that was part of the original spec and makes up the space for the rope cutter, this would go over the splines prior to the hub and bear up against sail drive to take the thrust from the prop. There is a cut out in the back of the hub into which the spacer fits. I hope this makes sense?

 

[West Coast]

I have a VP folding 3 blade prop on a 120S saildrive.

When you slide the prop hub onto the splined shaft, this should be a snug fit, with no movement as you describe. Tightening the hub nut etc stops it sliding off, but is not designed to prevent the movement you describe. It is possible the splines have worn, but I am wondering if the rubber insert within the hub is coming loose? This is known to happen with VP hubs on occasion.........

 

[chrisbitz]

ahah, that sounds feasible - so there's an inner and outer to the big tube bit of the prop?

I didn't notice any movement in it, but I'll know to check if I go again...

 

[Stork_III]

ahah, that sounds feasible - so there's an inner and outer to the big tube bit of the prop?

I didn't notice any movement in it, but I'll know to check if I go again...

Here shows the rubber bushes. http://www.volvopentashop.com/Volspec/en-GB/Details/AccessoriesCatalog/12305?path=5648/6829/12305 The bonding between the bush and splines can fail allowing splines to rotate relative to the outer hub, but as the bushes need a press to insert, it is ulikely that they would give a wobble. I think your hub is not seating onto the end of the splined shaft and so you are not actually tightening the hub nut properly. The line cutter or spacer is fitted?

 

[West Coast]

Here shows the rubber bushes. http://www.volvopentashop.com/Volspec/en-GB/Details/AccessoriesCatalog/12305?path=5648/6829/12305 The bonding between the bush and splines can fail allowing splines to rotate relative to the outer hub, but as the bushes need a press to insert, it is ulikely that they would give a wobble. I think your hub is not seating onto the end of the splined shaft and so you are not actually tightening the hub nut properly. The line cutter or spacer is fitted?

Sorry, dont think this is correct. The VP hub I have has an integral rubber insert, not repairable or replaceable as far as I know. Not sure what part you have referenced on the Volspec website but it is nothing I recognise from my setup.

When I slide the hub onto the saildrive shaft, it is a absolute snug fit, no movement such as the OP describes.

 

[Stork_III]

Sorry, dont think this is correct. The VP hub I have has an integral rubber insert, not repairable or replaceable as far as I know. Not sure what part you have referenced on the Volspec website but it is nothing I recognise from my setup.

When I slide the hub onto the saildrive shaft, it is a absolute snug fit, no movement such as the OP describes.

The rubber insert you have is replaceable, with that shown. It requires installing with a press to squeeze it into the outer hub. It absorbs shock loads to the saildrive and provides the electrical isolation.

 

[Tranona]

Sounds very much like the rubber bush has become worn. simple to check - just remove the prop. The bush can be replaced. Try and identify what make of prop it is or go to a specialist like Steel Developments.

 

[West Coast]

The rubber insert you have is replaceable, with that shown. It requires installing with a press to squeeze it into the outer hub.

Interesting, had not appreciated that. But the ones you linked to have a plain bore, is the splined insert a push fit into the plain bore of the new rubber insert?

 

[Tranona]

The splined insert is bonded into the bush and then the bush is pressed into the hub. A Bronze hub should take it OK, but with aluminium props there is always the possibility that the pressure of driving the old one out and putting a new one in will fracture the hub casting.

 

[chrisbitz]

Just an update to everyone that offered suggestions - in the end, it was the "line cutter" that was the wrong way round.

Although, why they call it a line cutter, i don't know, as it's enclosed, and there's no way it could ever cut a lin

 

[Stork_III]

Just an update to everyone that offered suggestions - in the end, it was the "line cutter" that was the wrong way round.

Although, why they call it a line cutter, i don't know, as it's enclosed, and there's no way it could ever cut a lin

It is design to prevent thin line, fishing line etc) being drawn into the inner seal, and causing sea water contamination of the leg oil.

 

[scottie]

The line cutter which always was a thrust washer with a spot welded tin ring has been replaced by a thrust washer which is the old line cutter without the tin ring