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Prop Shaft Bracket Set Screws


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I just bought a '94 Echelon and was turning the prop shaft by hand, and noticed that there are 2 set screws that I, believe, are adjustment screws on the shaft bracket that is under the boat near the rudder. I was wondering exactly what these screws do. While turning the shaft, there is quite a bit of resistance due to the shaft rubbing on what sounds like rubber inside the shaft bracket. Is this a concern, or do I need to adjust the shaft. The shaft looks to be to one side more than the other in the shaft bracket. Thanks

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Without looking at mine, I believe the set screws are to hold the strut bushing in place. There is resistance due to the bushing. I'm not sure what it means if the shaft is not centered other than if anything maybe not in alignment.

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I'm guessing strut bushing screws as well. No real adjustment with them, but I would suggest getting in the habit of checking them once in awhile. I had one of these set screws back off enough to let the forward bushing slide down into the strut. A real PITA! Now I re-torque those screws a couple times a season.

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The "bracket" is called a Strut as the earlier posters indicated. Inside the strut are a couple of bushings. The bushings are bronze on the outside and a plastic material on the inside. The bushings are lubricated by the water, so never run your boat in gear out of the water.

Bushings do wear out somewhere between 400 and 600 hours I'm pretty sure. The allen head set screws hold them in place. However if you go to replace them you will need to drop the drive shaft out. Getting the bushings out is not easy from what I understand.

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As was said before, the bushings are water lubricated, so feeling resistance while turning the prop by hand is normal if they are dry. Try turning the prop right after pulling the boat out of the water, and you should notice it to be quite smooth.

BTW, if you ever put the boat in gear when those bushings are dry, be prepared for one of the worst sounds you'll ever hear coming from your boat...

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As was said before, the bushings are water lubricated, so feeling resistance while turning the prop by hand is normal if they are dry. Try turning the prop right after pulling the boat out of the water, and you should notice it to be quite smooth.

BTW, if you ever put the boat in gear when those bushings are dry, be prepared for one of the worst sounds you'll ever hear coming from your boat...

Benn there, done that. Learned right here that I shouldn't (and Haven't) ever done that again.

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