2002 SANTE prop strut question

[intrlaz]

If I drop the prop strut to clean and reseal do I need to realign? Thanks.

[DanielC]

RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Yes.

If the strut is not damaged, I would leave it alone.
If your alignment is good, I would leave it alone.

If you are not careful, you will get the strut on wrong, and make alignment impossible, if not difficult. If the strut is reinstalled even a few thousands of an inch off, it will move the transmission end of the propshaft a 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch off.

If you are trying to repair a water leak, I would only remove one bolt at a time, and seal it, and then wait for the sealant to cure, before doing the next bolt. I would then carefully dig the old sealant out of the groove on the outside of the strut base, and apply new.

Do not disturb this part, unless you really need to.

[intrlaz]

RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Unfortunately I already removed to complete the leak repair. In hindsight I should have posted before messing with it. Any suggestions from here?

[bchesley]

RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Since its out then you are starting from scratch. Do your best to reset the strut as inline as possible. Once that is done you MUST realign the engine/tranny before using the boat. If you have never done an alignment then search here for instructions and be patient. Vdrives are much more difficult than direct drives because of the location of the V.

[intrlaz]

RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Thanks guys. Sending the boat to the dealer now.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Ouch.

[intrlaz]

Re: RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Ouch.

Yeah it hurts. Still learning about the boat. I'll definitely be checking with the forums before my next project.

[CradGen2]

RE: Re: RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Intrlaz,

You did the right thing, buy realizing the project was to big and sending the boat to the dealer. Although it might cost you some $$ now you won't risk damaging anything. SMART.

[DanielC]

RE: Re: RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

The strut is one of those things that looks simple, but it is not. The strut has to hold the propshaft exactly in the proper location in the boat, the transmission is there only to turn the shaft, and absorb the thrust the propshaft creates.
When you align the propshaft, you are actually moving the engine and transmission around to match the position of the propshaft. And ideally it is within .003, or less, of an inch of where it should be.
Because the strut is on the other end of the propshaft, you can see how a very small change there can cause the transmission end of the propshaft to move a lot.

[intrlaz]

RE: Re: RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

So the dealer checked the alignment and said it was within tolerance (.003" i beleive). What are the odds of that considering the strut was unbolted? This is a reputable dealer that has performed solid work for me before.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Re: RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Could well be. Did they simply seal and bolt the strut back on and install the shaft ?? And it was within .003?
Only way to verify is to disconnect the coupler and check it yourself. You already had pulled this all apart right? Should not be a big deal, if so. Really, you want it .000, .003 is the max tolerance.

[intrlaz]

RE: Re: RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

The shaft was never removed. The strut was unbolted, cleaned and resealed and bolted back on. I think I will check the tolerance myself like you suggested. I guess I will find out if they checked the alignment properly when i run it tomorrow.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Re: RE: 2002 SANTE prop strut question

Their tolerance, and the correct tolerance may be a different number, too. Take your time and get it all the way right. It is tedious as all get out, but will save your transmission. Plan on spending a few hours if it is off.

[BLong]

So I am looking at a V Drive(05 Super Sport 210) there was a decent amount of tranny fluid in the hull. We Flushed some water thru it out the drain plug. Went back out on the water ran around and it didn't seem like it ever increased. Looked like just water trying to wash the residual off the inside hull. The owner said he had the fluid changed with the oil for winter and it could be spilled substance.

I brought the boat home tonite and cleaned out the bottom under the engine. Got out all the gunk and it lis good and clean now. But probably, I will not get to put the boat back in since we are still in the negotiatioin phase and I don't think he will go for putting it back in the water for another test drive. Could fluid leak just sitting in the driveway overnight?

I went under the boat and looked at the shaft/strut mount and it appeared that the screws have been touched. The points/star area on the phillips head were a little ruff like the head of the screw driver slipped. Not stripped, but there is a burr there. Also it looks like a dried hard white caulk is seeping out around the mounting point of the plate.

Do you guys think this thing could have been worked on and caused an alignment issue and causing the tranny to leak?

Also the prop had been written on with a sharpie, dimensions like. 13.75x17.5x1.125, and it looked like a sticker had been on it. Kind of reminded me of something you would see on the shelf at a salvage yard.

The boat did drive good, no vibration until full throtle, which I chalked up for 4800 RPM Engine running in a boat.

Any help would be great. Don't want to drop the wad and having something that could have been damaged previously.