Found one at my LHS- Shaft coupler will not loosen grip on flex!

[skyword]

Stopped into my LHS and they had just took delivery of one. Just happened to be the color I wanted too! (Red)
Everything looks great on this boat but I ran into a prob. when I tried to uncouple shaft to grease and check alignment! It will not let go of shaft! Wonder if it was over-tightened when manued?
Any Ideas/tricks to get it loose? Have never had this happen before!
Thanks,
JJ

[dana]

Try heating it up. Soldering iron works well

[skyword]

Thanks dana, tried it but still will not let loose! That thing is jammed up good!
Thought about taking the prob and drive dog off and pulling it out the motor end but dont think the solid part will make it thru the bend in the stuffing tube!
Any other Ideas short off cutting it after running it a couple of times?

JJ

[JimClark]

How bout a light tap with a hammer after spraying with lube

[dana]

Is it the coupler that won't loosen or is the shaft just stuck in the loose coupler?

[dana]

I would just crank it until something either loosens or breaks. At this point, what difference would it make... It wasn't born there. Has to come off at some point.

[skyword]

The coupler loosened fine. I've loosened it all the way off the threads. The flex shaft just will not pull out. I tried tapping it in both directions but still will not come free. May spray it with break free and let it set overnight.
Don't know that I will run it untill I can Grease the shaft as it doesn't apear to have any from the factory!

JJ

[tlandauer]

I am going to say something and many may not agree: it has worked for me. After the "break-free" and if you still can't get it out, the only way I got mine out was pulling while twisting the prop CLOCKWISE! ( opposite rotation of the motor!) Place your other hand on the top part of the collet--the hex that is fastened to the motor shaft and try not to let it turn. Do not just pull: the force from pulling the shaft can't be good for the motor bearing and motor mount. It has to be this direction or other wise you wuould unwind the flex cable. Sometimes the end of the cable is not brazed well or something is not round and it tends to get very stuck inside the "teeth" of the collet. ( it is a collet, right?)
You may want to up grade the flex cable later when OSE makes it, AQ stock flexcable/shaft are known to have issues. Also after twisting it this way, I would no longer trust the bond between the cable and the stub shaft. You might have trouble putting it back also. I also replace my collet with the ones sold by OSE, I like them better.

[Grimracer]

Tland

First thanks for choosing AquaCraft and sorry about the issue.

Lets try this

With the collet loose (like you have it) put on the 13mm wrench on the shaft side of the coupler.
With the prop in place (wrap a towel around it) turn the prop clockwise and pull out at the same time. Hold the 13mm wrench at the same time. Use as much force as needed.

Question: When you loosen the coupler does the shaft spin with the smaller part of the coupler?

Grim

[skyword]

YES, holding the shaft side of the coupler and turning the prop clockwise set it free. Took quite a bit of torque to get it started and then probably was 3 or 4 turns before it would pull out!
The collet (part that crimps down?) fell out in 3 pieces. The shaft does have a burr or the wire strand sticking up very close to the end.

tlandauer- thanks for the assist!
Grim- thanks for the help! Though this problem was a little discouraging I do feel this boat is going to be great fun and I still remain happy with this purchase.

[bdp1174]

Wondering if you could look in the inside of your hull at the screws that hold in the rudder,trim tabs and turn fins to see if there are bolts on them.This is what mine looks like and in the exploded views I see bolts.
IMAG0131.jpg

[longballlumber]

Nevermind...

[Grimracer]

I had a suspicion something might have broke. Just was not making any since..

Did you contact Product Support to get a new part?

Man.. sorry about that.

The older SV couplers could be broken as well but when they did the smaller part would break free from the larger. Again you could not get the shaft out.



Grim

[skyword]

Had a Octura coupler in my box. Installed that and all is good. Ran two sets of batts in it today!!
NICE, VERY NICE!
Handles great!
Good speed! Guessing mid 30's to 40ish. (Faster than my mostly stock greenish/yellow RTR Cat. You know the one!)
This is my first mono hull so was a little scary at first with it rolling a bit.
Seems to rock or chine walk at times. Where is a good CG for this baby! I didn't measure but ran one set of batts 1 in from front of tray and the 2nd 1 inch from back of tray. Farther back seemed better!

Grim- thanks for your concern on the coupler! Those things happen! Great job on this design! I'm loven it!

JJ

[Grimracer]

Thanks man

redwings.. fish.. good!

grim