bent propeller shaft

[chris2250]

Hello, I have 2000 Honda BF90 with a bent propeller shaft. After I hit a sizable log, noticed (with boat out of water) a wobble when I spin the prop. Put new prop and hub on, still wobbles. I still run the hell out of it, with a vibration issue at certain speeds. Everything else works fine, shifting, water pump etc. Wondering if this is something a novice can fix, or a certified Honda guy...which I really don't have access too. I can get part, do have the manual, but wondering just how difficult it would be to change the propeller shaft. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[zzzzz]

Re: bent propeller shaft

its not really a job for a novice as there are shims that have to placed exactly(for backlash)and sometimes special tools required...by the time you spend the money on labor to do all that-its the same money as a new lower

 

[TimMattson]

Re: bent propeller shaft

Chris,<br /> SS actually gets harder when bent and you could pull the prop and place a sizeable pipe over the shaft and re-bend it ,maybe enough to save some money.<br /> It does work on lawnmowers but a Honda motor is more like a sewing machine.Try only with caution.Id spin it until the wobble is pointing downward ,then lift quick and firm.A second set of eyes to watch for movement will also help.<br /> TM

 

[MajBach]

Re: bent propeller shaft

I can't believe that you are running the motor in this condition. I am certainly no expert but if this thing is out-of-round enough to see it, that's hugely bad. If you can feel the vibration as you run, imagine what the motor feels. I had a bent shaft once - looked perfectly normal. We used a device (forget the name- used them in the factory all th time)that attached to the lower unit and measured how far off center the prop shaft really was. It was measured in 1/1000ths of an inch. I had already run the boat two trips without knowing I had this problem. I had only mentioned it to my mechanic casually that I hit something enough to replace the prop when he suggested we check the shaft. Sure enough, he showed me how my seal was already wearing and there was water in the lower unit.<br />I guess I can't really state why vibration is bad for all other parts of the motor, but I surely would not run my motor after checking the shaft first. Sorry to have to tell you this too, but replacing the shaft and seal was $1600.

 

[Hawaiian]

Re: bent propeller shaft

I bent the prop shaft on my BF135 last month. My mechanic replaced it for $350 including parts and labor. The guy at the prop shop charged me $150 to fix my damaged stainless prop blade. <br /><br /><br />That rock I hit cost me $500 :-(<br /><br />I would not try to rebend the shaft nor would I run the motor one more minute with a bent prop shaft.

 

[csarns]

Re: bent propeller shaft

Thanks everyone. Plan on changing the lower gear case oil tomorrow, for second time. We'll see how it looks. Curious to know how your mechanic changed that thing so cheap. Can you tell me the dealer by chance?

 

[Hawaiian]

Re: bent propeller shaft

The mechanic is a friend of mine who owns his own mobile outboard service. He happens to be a Honda certified mechanic and gave me a good price. <br /><br />Oh.. and by the way he lives and works here in Hawaii ;-)