Shimming the propeller

[marvinjansen]

Last trip out it didn't want to go into gear properly. I had tightened the prop nut but not torqued it after installing. I find that when torqued the prop is still loose, about 1/16" of play. Looks like all the parts are there. I'd like to put a 1" dia shim in front of the spline washer to take out the slack. Any suggestions?

 

[wifisher]

Re: Shimming the propeller

Are you asking if you should do it or how to do it? As to whether you should, no comment.

How to do it is with arbor shims. Fastenal can get them for you, or any other fastener supplier.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Shimming the propeller

Ayuh,... If this is a Merc Alpha serries,...

It's Supposed to do that...
It's the propShaft, not the prop...

Bad shifting is usually a Cable issue...

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: Shimming the propeller

it's a 73 Mercruiser 165hp. seems to stay in gear better when I take the slack out by pushing in on the prop.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Shimming the propeller

in the water going foward it is pushing the shaft inward. I would suspect worn gear dogs or shift cable replacement/adjustment

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: Shimming the propeller

I think you are right. Both cables are new and it shifts easily. It worked ok a couple of trips ago. Last trip it wouldn't go into reverse at the dock and I had to paddle. Worked ok in forward until after we had shut it down and wanted to drive it around the dock to load. Then it hesitated going into forward or reverse. I don't think the prop slack has anything to do with this, probable worn gear dogs. Will look more at adjustment and shift it with lower cable off and done manually but I think I tried that. I did notice that when I reached up into the drive and pushed on the shifter coming out of the lower unit that it seemed to lock in better. Can minute slack in the "u" shaped rod from the upper unit cause a problem?