Bent Prop Shaft WHY?

[fscalise]

HPDI 250 2008
I dicided to change the lower unit oil yesterday and notice it only drained about 4 oz out. Well i refilled it and then i noticed when i spin the shaft the shaft is bent. Never hit a thing, prop is perfect and was checked by Mark C.

Can a seal leak cause a ahaft to bend? DO you think Yamaha would consided this warranty work?

Thanks

[Reata210]

Does the LU have a visable leak?

[Sigma]

Only way to find out would be talk to dealer and have them call yamaha.

[fscalise]

No visable leak, no water in LU. i wonder if low on oil overheated and made it more likly to bend?

[Sigma]

If it's under warranty take it to the dealer and tell him what you found. Don't think I would mention it being low on oil.

[Reata210]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sigma &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If it's under warranty take it to the dealer and tell him what you found. Don't think I would mention it being low on oil.</TD></TR></TABLE>

[Dando]

Mine sure looked bent as well. Found out when removed that it was cracked, not bent.

[fscalise]

Well they pulled it today and said it bent and can strighten it and replace the seal. I still think it bent because the seal leaked first and the shaft overheated. I know i never hit anything. The prop is perfect. Do you think Yamaha should warranty it?

[xpress spanky]

I really do not think it is from being overheated!!! The 2 reasons are that if it got that hot your bearings and gears would be junk!!!! The water also runs thru the lower unit,and so that would keep the shaft at a lower temp than what you are thinking!!! The 2 things i think would have caused your problem are 1,you hit something and it did no visable damage to the prop,or 2,it got bent slightly in shipping when it was new and you just now have noticed it!! If it was getting that hot your rubber in the hub would be junk,and you would be having problems with that!!!! As far as yamaha taking care of it under warranty,i dont think they will,but be sure to see if they will!!! Are you sure it's not cracked???? Look very close at it because they have had problems with that!!! Like Danny said,he had a cracked one on his and appeared to be bent,and thats why he found the crack!!

[fscalise]

Thanks for the advise. My mech is waiting on seals and says the shaft is just bent and will be able to strighten it out. Still the prop was worked by Mark and you would think it would show some sign if it hit. I have always spun the prop and looked at it and it was never out of round from new so i just dont know! But will ask to see if yamaha will cover

[dh1865]

Replaced one this winter also never dinged the prop. Yamaha said they wouldn't warranty a bent prop shaft. It cost me about $800 to have it replaced but I had them replace the fuel filters and waterpump at the same time. What is funny I trashed a prop the year before and the shaft was perfect.

Darrin

[esoxfly]

Yeah, it's not from overheating. If it got hot enough to bend the shaft, your paint would be bubbled and the l/u case would be discolored, as well as the shaft itself being discolored. You may have hit something. People hit stuff all the time and never know it. I know of guys that get back to the ramp and their skeg is gone, or their prop is banged up and "they never hit anything." It happens. You got insurance? I'd approach it through insurance before I went through Yamaha.

[Reata210]

I would replace not straighten. It has to come out either way.

[xpress spanky]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reata210 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would replace not straighten. It has to come out either way.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's good advice!!! Those are a little weak anyway,so bending it again will weaken it a little more!!!

P.S. Did you know that hydrotec makes a fatshaft conversion for your rig???? That's what i would go with,and it will be a lot stouter!!!