Collar on shaft?

[wired1236]

Guys. Was under the boat today and noticed this collar. What the bleep is it? Please dont tell me its part of the seal? It just slides on the shaft. Yo u cant slide it all the way up through the shaft hull hole as the shaft is too low to the lower exit point to let it. Ive never noticed it until now.

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[boatwakes]

It's forward strut bearing. The strut has two of those for bearings inside it, one forward and one aft. It should slide down the shaft and "press fit" into the strut. Because this one has obviously dislodged, you should replace both and reset the engine alignment because they're not supposed to be mobile. If you're mechanically inclined I can give you the step by step on how to do it. If not, you'll have to pay to have it done and it's gonna be about 4-6 hours to do correctly.

[wired1236]

Thanks. That would be awesome. I consider myself inclined so ill take a look at your writeup and go from there. 4-6 hrs for a shop, or a "do it yourselfer" like me?

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[boatwakes]

Either or. Here's the step by step:
1) Remove prop
2) Loosen but do not remove 4 coupler bolts where trans coupler meets shaft coupler.
3) Separate couplers and loosen set screw on shaft coupler (it holds the prop shaft to woodruff key), v-drive will be a bitch.
4) Remove prop shaft. This is an operation that may require your local shipyard as we use a slide hammer with a special attachment nut to screw on to the propeller nut end of the prop shaft. If you don't have the tools, find a shop that does it and PAY THEM, not worth buying what you need.
5) Have new strut bearings on order from dealer.
6) Remove set screws (if any) in strut both forward and aft that hold the bearings in place.
7) Use a large socket with same O.D. as bearing and pound out aft bearing from forward position.
8) PUT NEW BEARINGS IN FREEZER OVERNIGHT AND DO NOT REMOVE UNTIL READY FOR INSTALL!!!!!!!!!
9) Install frozen bearings one at a time forward and aft and install set screws using loctite red. Bearings should be flush with strut.
10) Install prop shaft and reattach to coupler but DO NOT TIGHTEN coupler bolts all the way.
11) Hand push the couplers together with a feeler gauge at .025 thickness in between the couplers. Reinsert feeler gauge around the circumference without rotating the prop shaft and determine if the feeler gauge "pull" is the same throughout. The ideal clearance is less than .004" between both coupler surfaces around the circumference and can be determined by using the .027 gauge as a go, no-go and the .023 gauge as a go, no-go. Unfortunately, this will be the most difficult part of the process.
12) Use the 4 engine mounts as points of raising and lowering different parts of the engine to align the trans coupler with the prop shaft coupler. Their nut size is 1 1/8" for reference and common sense dictates how the coupler will orient depending on which mount is adjusted. Most likely the engine has settled and will need to be raised.

Send me a PM if you need further assistance.

[wired1236]

Thanks a bunch! I do have a great shop here in Portland. Ill talk to them about it. I see the biggest issue being getting to the shaft coupler bolts. Thers not much room in a 20v down there and your working blind. I think my shop will lend me the tool (they have lent tools like prop pullers before) so well see. Again, thanks!

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[wired1236]

After looking at this closer, I think it is the upper shaft bearing. I looked at the topforward end of the srut and I can see the brass/rubber bearing at the end inside the strut still. So somehow, it did make it past the throughhull?

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[boatwakes]

Yes, the stern tube has one too and the same directions apply. However, you may need a new stern tube if that one is damaged.

[wired1236]

Talked to the mechanic today. He says it couldn't have come from the upper shaft. He admits its weird so Im taking it to them to check it out and the alignment since I havent had it checked since ive had the boat. Thanks for your help. Ill post what happens.

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[wired1236]

Update. Got the final word from my mech. It's the collar out of the packing sleeve. He couldn't repair it as it was a system he's never seen is his 25 yrs of fixing inboard boats. The shaft was also out of alignment and said by looking at everything it has been for a long time. He checked the shaft and it was straight so he replaced the whole packing unit, aligned it all up and we are good to go, ($700 later).