Can a propeller shaft be straightened?

Propeller shaft straightening: When the prop shaft is bent, even the slightest, this can often cause a vibration. We can straighten (1” – 1 1/4” diameter shafts), outboard and stern drive prop shafts without removal from the gear case.

What will happen if the propeller shaft misaligned?

However, misalignments can cause stuffing boxes to wear down and leak, causing significant water damage – or worst of all, the sinking of your vessel. Or, the oscillation of the propeller shaft can cause the clamps to come loose, resulting in the same fate.

How do I know if my prop shaft is bent?

Take the prop off and with the motor off and in neutral, rotate the shaft. The shaft should have a small tapered hole in the end which was used to hold the shaft while it was being machined. If the shaft rotates and that hole runs true, the shaft is fine. If the hole orbits or wobbles, you may have a problem.

How much does it cost to replace a bent prop shaft?

You can get a remanufactured lower unit for $900 – $1100 or so (plus the cost of a prop). The shaft alone is $240 or so, add seals, bearings, and a whole slew of little parts that could be damaged by whatever bent the shaft and prop.

Can you run a boat with a bent prop?

When you run your boat with a bent blade on the propeller, you could cause significant harm to the gearing within the lower unit. Other common issues that come with a damaged propeller include: Vibrations in the drive line. Loss of power and performance.

What is ship shaft alignment?

This method uses a micro alignment telescope which generates a sight line between an illuminated reflective target at one end of the shafting and the telescope mounted at the other end. The sight line is generated at a uniform height above the shaft vertically above the centreline of the shaft.

What causes shafts to bend?

A shaft that is initially straight can bend due to stresses caused by heavy shrink fits with mating components such as a turbine wheel, for example. Bent shafts caused by assembly stack-up stresses are usually not correctable by simply straightening the shaft itself.