Prop Play

[waverunner]

My Humber 5.5mtr Destroyer is just about ready for her maiden voyage, however I have one slight hang up. I have a new laser 11 20" stainless prop fitted to a Mercury Optimax 115. The stepped brass washer has been fitted first, followed by the prop with the flo torque hub assembly, and finally secured with the tab washer and nut.

Everything has been fitted correctly and well tightened up, but there seems to be a little bit of end float and slight side play in the prop, I checked this against my mates prop and found he has some end float but no side play, and wondered if this is normal with the flo torque hub assembly.

[Ian M]

I would get it checked out. I had similar play with the flo torq hub on a 2005 90 Optimax. Hub was knackered with very few hours on it!

[waverunner]

It shouldn't be knackered everything is new!!

[Limey Linda]

Originally Posted by waverunner

It shouldn't be knackered everything is new!!

Something is wrong. I have just fitted a flowtorque Mirage prop. and just checked it. No side play. The stepped washer should have a tapered bore that matches the shaft so no side play is possible. Worth checking out.

[waverunner]

I checked the tapered bore in the stepped washer and it fits fine, really good fit on the shaft. I can only think that when the nut is tightened its not fully pulling everything home for some reason. The side play is only slight but my thoughts are there should not be any play at all.

[Limey Linda]

Originally Posted by waverunner

I checked the tapered bore in the stepped washer and it fits fine, really good fit on the shaft. I can only think that when the nut is tightened its not fully pulling everything home for some reason. The side play is only slight but my thoughts are there should not be any play at all.

Your should have a castellated brass washer that goes behind the tab washer: it also has a step in it. make sure it is seated properly and thus allowing the nut to force the prop. and the rear tapered washer fully on to the shaft taper. The nut should hold the prop./rear washer hard onto the taper.

[Hightower]

Nothing should move except for turning around

Are you sure it's not the prop shaft moving back and forth a little?

[Limey Linda]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Nothing should move except for turning around

Are you sure it's not the prop shaft moving back and forth a little?

Good point, if the prop. shaft itself is moving then the bearings are knackered. Is it a new engine?

[waverunner]

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Good point, if the prop. shaft itself is moving then the bearings are knackered. Is it a new engine?

Its a new engine, with absolutely no play in the prop shaft. Its looking as though the brass castellated splined spacer that was supplied with the engine is too long. I will ,try a shorter one tommorow.

[Paul F]

What have you torqued it up to? not that it would have a great deal of effect on it
Paul