Is this normal for a flex shaft??

[Checkmateguy01]

I've been running my Daytona all season with out any issues, been running really good! But my flex shaft has some interesting wear to it. There are shinny spots all the way around it, kinda looks like a candy cain basically. I do not run a plastic inner liner in my stuffing tube, and my tube is slightly "S" shaped which i know is not a problem. Also, i liberally grease the shaft after EVERY run. It almost seems like it's twisting and wanting to come un-raveld, it hasn't tho, but unless they sent me the wrong shaft it's made for left hand rotation. It's an Aeromarine flex shaft, put it in brand new. I'm running an X442 on it to keep the temps way down and scrub off a little speed when i'm running at the lake. I took a pic of it, it's not the best but maybe you can see what i'm talking about, is this normal wear for a flex shaft??

IMG_0709.jpg

[Basstronics]

The diameter of the flex will expand under load. So what you are seeing is probably is a particular strand thats ridding on the brass.

Just keep it lubed up.

[lenny]

What size flex ID is it,
How much gap are you keeping at the prop dog and strut ?

[Checkmateguy01]

It's a .187 flex, i have about a 3/16 gap between the dog and strut.

[lenny]

You should be good than,
What kind of grease are you using ?
I use blue Marine Grease, It stay on pretty good for a few runs.

[madmikepags]

thats fine if you're not using teflon. there is probably very little actual wear and more like polishing, the brass tube will wear before the steel cable does.

[Checkmateguy01]

You should be good than,
What kind of grease are you using ?
I use blue Marine Grease, It stay on pretty good for a few runs.

I use Grim Racer grease, seems like good stuff.

Madmikepags, that's kinda what i was thinking too, just thought it was strange "wear" pattern that i've never seen before. That pic just doesn't show the "candy cain" affect to well, but after you mentioned it i to doubt there is actually much wear at all. Hopefully it will be a while before the stuffing tube wears thru, tha't not gonna be a fun fix!

[madmikepags]

I can see the the candy cane effect it's no big deal, I have 2 boats that literally have over 100 hours of running on them with the same flex cable and tube without any issues, and I am not as diligent as you with greasing!!!! sometimes only once a season!!!!!!! I know I'm bad!!!

[iamandrew]

Yeah man dont worry about it!
and yes
I grease my boat every run,
its not fun spending 30 minutes taking the motor out and greasing the flex shaft, considering i run the boat for 10 minutes
having said that, i run in salt water, so its a must