Prop

[vffb507]

Wasn't sure wher to post this... I have found an absolutely excellent aluminum welding guy that repairs props. The caveat is he doesn't have the equipment to do balancing, but has many satisfied customers that swaer by him. He has been doing this for at least 6 years, and has maintained customers from day one. Not one says that they have had drive problems.
Just wondering on thoughts for this, I don't want to save $$ on prop repairs only to replace gears. But hard to argue with a fixed prop for the cost of a 6 pack, especially with long term recommendations.

[shrew]

Balancing and tuning has more to do with reducing vibration and optimizing perfomance than it does protecting the gears from damage. The gears get damaged from two things:

1) Water in the drive

2) Hitting an object while underway.

If you need a prop guy to weld and tweak your prop it is more than likely because you hit something. THAT is what will damage the gears in your drive, not the improper repair of the prop. FWIW, it's worth getting the prop properly balanced and tuned, but for the cost of a 6-pack, you get what you pay for.

[mmwjr]

That vibration may lead to premature failure of the seal which in turn will let water in the drive.

[vffb507]

Okay... Yeah, hitting something is what happened.. Always aluminum prop with torque hub, so drive has best chance of surviving. It has been checked and all is okay. Which seal should I be watching, and how to tell short of pulling things apart? Oh, I know about the value for $$$, but hard to pass this up, especially with previous long term satisfied customers. Appreciate the replies.

[mmwjr]

propshaft seals, onw facing in to keep oil in a second facing out to keep water out. A mechanic and perfom a pressure test but will to drain the lube to do so.