Rudder play and excessive vibration

[readyfireaim]

I'm having trouble with a couple of different issues with my BJ29 and I am looking for some advice.

First, I have a lot of play in my rudder. I'm not sure if this is a problem? If so, can I fix it with a thicker washer?


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6ES86UKrCcc

Secondly, I feel like I am getting excessive vibration from my drive. I've greased the shaft, wiped down, and re greased. I'm currently running the stock prop, which I know is out of balance. I'm just not sure if that is completely to blame, or if I have blown the bearings out in the strut? Did I kink the tube when I did the BHCheiftan strut upgrade?


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_n-NFW1vpPI

I have ordered a proper prop from dasboata, x642. I plan on continuing to work on the prop that I currently have to get it as close to b/s as I can. Please let me know if there is anything that you can think of that I can look into.

Thank you in advance for your help

[BHChieftain]

That rudder play looks a bit excessive to me-- my boats just have a little play. Did the rudder hit any debris? I'd try to remove the rudder and see if you can see where it is wearing.

The strut does not have bearings-- they have bushings and they can wear-- do you feel any side to side play in the propshaft (when not turning of course...)?

How long have you been running the boat?

Chief

[readyfireaim]

I haven't been running the boat long. Maybe 10 runs. It's my first, so I've managed to do a lot of stupid things must likely in those runs.

I didn't grease the shaft till after run 6. I ran 6s with the stock setup. Never balanced the prop. Pretty much all the stupid stuff one would do with their first boat.

I am feeling a little play in the prop shaft. More left to right, than up and down. I still get excessive vibration when I spin it without a prop. Starting to think its not a prop balancing thing.

I did tighten the set screw on the rudder which cleaned up a lot of that play. Now I just gotta tackle this vibration.

[readyfireaim]

If I'm getting a some play in the flex shaft in the strut from left to right, would that indicate that I have worn out those bushings?

I did run into a little foliage in the pond the last time I ran it and got hung up. Didn't realize what had happened until I tried to gun it. Prop looks okay, but It seems like after that was when the vibrations got really bad.

Thanks again for your time,

[BHChieftain]

There should only be the *slightest* wiggle for the propshaft--I'm talking just barely. If you did run the boat without lube and those bushing got hot that can mess them up.

You can replace the strut-- the miss geico and blackjack use the same unit. Horizon Hobby website is down at the moment but you can find the part on amazon or ebay
the part number is PRB4105

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Boat-Strut-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B003QWE6XQ

Better yet offshore electronics carries an upgraded strut with teflon bushings:

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=ose-1390

Chief

[readyfireaim]

Thanks Chief. I just went ahead and ordered the OSE one. I'll update as soon as it comes in.

I'll also try and take a pic of the prop shaft I'm hopes that you can check the angle that I've modified it to following your vids.

[readyfireaim]

Already shipped! Way to go OSE!