Vibration after Prop Bend - 2100i

[Halichopter]

I have a 1999, 2100i. My daughter hit a rock on my stainless 3 blade prop and made a small bend. I had a spare 4 blade brass prop and the boat ran fine. I had the stainless repaired and put it back on and the whole boat shook upon power application. I notice that my strut is significantly bent. But the cost to repair was huge. So I figured the 4 blade was just more tolerant to the bent strut. I don't know if the shaft is bent. I decided to just keep the 4 blade on and live with it but I have begun to notice more vibration sometimes even with the 4 blade after a season of use.

I have it at a mechanic to check the prop straightness with a dial indicator. But perhaps the strut bend is enough to cause vibration? Maybe the bearing?

Can the strut be bent back, do I need to buy a new strut? if the shaft is straight what would cause vibration?

Thanks in advance.

[mtnsmith]

If the strut was bent then it probably pulled the shaft out of alignment with the transmission. Even if the shaft is straight the bent strut probably caused things to wear badly leading to the increase in vibration. Looks like it will probably cost you quite a bit to fix, sorry.

[zad0030]

Even the slightest bend would cause vibration.

Just to be clear what is bent the prop shaft or the strut that holds the prop shaft?

[scoot18]

[QUOTE=Halichopter;106023] I had the stainless repaired and put it back on[QUOTE]


I thought that stainless props weren't repairable. They are so solid that when they get bent usually other things get comprimised as well, things like the strut. I am surprised that you were able to ge that fixed. If you have a worse vibration with the stainless than you do the 4 blade. I would say that the stainless prop didn't get fixed very well. Like I said I don't think stainless props are very repair friendly.... Good luck

[Jason B]

by "strut" are you talking about the metal support piece that holds the shaft and is bolted through the hull about 2 inches in front of the propellor?
Curious because mine squeeks pretty loudly in that piece when I turn the prop by hand. I don't think that's a huge deal, but it is a new occurence.

[zad0030]

by "strut" are you talking about the metal support piece that holds the shaft and is bolted through the hull about 2 inches in front of the propellor?
Curious because mine squeeks pretty loudly in that piece when I turn the prop by hand. I don't think that's a huge deal, but it is a new occurence.

I believe thats because the water lubricates the bearing inside of the strut. If you were to put the engine in gear out of the water it would burn up those bearings.

[kko]

not a bearing. its a rubber bushing that gets lubricated by water. the noise you get turning by hand is normal they all do it. you do not want to spin it up out of the water with out some sort of lube on it you will wipe out the bushing. if you bent the strut you can almost bet the farm the shaft is bent. pull it out an hope it can be staightend. because a new one aint cheap!! yes and running it with a bent strut is just going to do more damage. its a pay me now or pay me more later type a deal. good luck

[dogbert]

If the strut was bent then it probably pulled the shaft out of alignment with the transmission. Even if the shaft is straight the bent strut probably caused things to wear badly leading to the increase in vibration. Looks like it will probably cost you quite a bit to fix, sorry.

What he said. Check with your insurance company. It may be covered. Mine was. I bent the shaft, strut, rudder and prop. I even got a whole new prop out of the deal.

[raythompson]

I thought that stainless props weren't repairable. They are so solid that when they get bent usually other things get comprimised as well, things like the strut.

Yeh, they are. I had stainless on my I/O and hit a low water dam that curled two of the blade tips back 180 degrees. The prop was repaired as good a new. Beyond that I had the prop repaired 4 or 5 times to get rid of edge nicks and dings. With the right prop shop SS props can be repaired. The guy even said they could replace a missing blade.

[Moki]

I hit a submerged log and barely bent my prop and it caused a lot of vibration, particularly between 2500 - 3000 rpm. I put on my spare prop later and the vibration was gone -- I was lucky. I am a little concerned about repairing or may just get a new one since they are so finicky about alignment. Anybody have good or bad stories about repairing an Acme brass prop?

PS:
Regarding SS, when I owned an I/O I repaired my SS prop every season. I believe they add new material through welding strips and then grind down.

[Matt Garcia]

Yeh, they are. I had stainless on my I/O and hit a low water dam that curled two of the blade tips back 180 degrees. The prop was repaired as good a new. Beyond that I had the prop repaired 4 or 5 times to get rid of edge nicks and dings. With the right prop shop SS props can be repaired. The guy even said they could replace a missing blade.

Sorry for the hijack but Ray can you make sure your account email is correct?

Thanks
Matt

[dogbert]

Sorry for the hijack but Ray can you make sure your account email is correct?

Thanks
Matt

[raythompson]

Sorry for the hijack but Ray can you make sure your account email is correct?

Done. I did not realize I had the old email address.

[Matt Garcia]

Done. I did not realize I had the old email address.

Thanks!