New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

[boatster]

I just received my Michigan Wheel SS prop and after putting it on the motor and spinning it by hand it was a wobble. I took the prop off and looked at the hub and the splines are off centered. Should I be concerned? Or will the prop/hub balance itself out on the first outing? <br /><br />For any reference its a Michigan Wheel Raptor 10 1/2" 14 pitch SS propeller that I got off of Iboats. <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[javsam]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

I would send it back, you wouldnt want to strain your lower unit.<br />javsam

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

If the prop is not right, return it, it don't matter where you got it. What was wrong with your old prop? I only ask because if it has the same problem, check the prop shaft. Good Luck, Joe

 

[walleyehed]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

If torqued correct, the prop will straighten itself out when running...this is not uncommon on MWC props.

 

[boatster]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

I took the boat out this weekend with the SS prop.<br />It goes 38 mph, 3 to 4 mph faster than with my old alu prop and the motor seems much much quieter. I will try running it a little more and hopefully it centers out. Otherwise I'll probably have it re-hubbed to center it. I checked the prop shaft and its straight. The old prop turns true. I'm hoping that this Michigan Wheel prop centers itself out. I was planning to buy another for my other boat.

 

[youmansjason]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

I recently purchased a used Rapture SS prop. It is the kind with the old style hubs that are pressed in, but the guy I bought it from said the prop has never been on used (still has sticker on one of the blades).<br /><br />Anyway, I noticed that the hub that's in it appears to be slightly crooked. As a result, the part of the hub that goes against the thrust washer on the outdrive shaft is angled slightly too. <br /><br />I haven't run it on my boat yet. Is this something that will straighten out with use too?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

Not common but it's something we see from time to time. Just like Walleyehed said. I've seen it with several different brands.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

youmansjason, your prop may straighten up when you pull the nut down....maybe...<br />The rubber hub props will often appear off-center when you spin them by hand, but IN USE, they straighten out...usually...even though it may appear uncentered after use.

 

[ob]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

Local dealer installed a new michigan wheel stainless prop on a 96' model 70 hp Rude I purchased new coupled to a 15 ft Whaler.It too was off center and shook the rig above 3000 rpms like a dog passin razor blades.Never did settle out.Dealer exchanged it for a OMC sst II prop and end of problem.That was 10 years ago.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: New SS prop hub off center? Is this ok?

I'd think that if it was just an installation alignment problem, to correct it you'd have to spin the prop maybe a full turn.....easy if you hit something, but how to do it otherwise? Gotta make a fixture maybe an old shaft out of a scrap lower unit and a vise and a big wrench and some leather or something to keep from scarring the blades. <br /><br />I can see how cramming the hub into the prop at the mfgr could have problems where the rubber didn't go in evenly on all sides. Course, if that happened very often, you'd think they would have a fixture where they could deliberately spin the prop to force it to align before shipping.<br /><br />Mark