Losing prop blades
09-08-2004 | 02:50 PM
#32
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Re: Losing prop blades
I think the "when you bought them" might be the issue. I chunked two last year in a span of two weeks...same spot as you. Merc warranteed BOTH. They told me and Pier 57 that they had a bad run of props and it is weird how mine both went on the same spot. I bought my current ones from Lake Cumberland and they have been fine. I thought my drive was screwed but they looked in it and just chalked it to the bad run of props.
09-08-2004 | 10:40 PM
#34
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 1
From: Lake Eufaula, Ok.
Re: Losing prop blades
I know... Merc issued a service bulletin this spring on Bravo props and inspecting them for cracks. Also, they do not warranty the props for the cracks!! Strange, huh?
My mechanic just filed a claim to Merc for two Bravo's 30" pitch for the same problem. We are waiting to see the results.
My mechanic just filed a claim to Merc for two Bravo's 30" pitch for the same problem. We are waiting to see the results.
09-09-2004 | 12:24 AM
#35
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,387
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From: Houston,texas
Re: Losing prop blades
usually on these props that are bad ,if you look real close you can see a round circle or bubble about1/8 in dia,this is where the void is, if you were to start grinding on it, you will end up with a large hole 
,.If it's cut back completly and filled with filler wire it will hold up .but this has been going on long before they said they had a bad run on the props ,it's another one of those deals ,
NOTHING IS PERFECT. We fix them all the time, also if you notice most of all of the cracks start at the trailing edge(the cupped area) if you look at all of the Bravo-ones where they grind the castings burrs off the edge leaving big belt lines in the blade setting them self's up for a crack to start ,if this were polished in this area it would be alot stronger ,yes stronger by polishing and greatly reducing the chances of failure. I also see alot of cavation burns on the prop blades even though it may look [polished to some,it's has been cavating and under TREMDOUS FATIGUE.
,.If it's cut back completly and filled with filler wire it will hold up .but this has been going on long before they said they had a bad run on the props ,it's another one of those deals ,NOTHING IS PERFECT. We fix them all the time, also if you notice most of all of the cracks start at the trailing edge(the cupped area) if you look at all of the Bravo-ones where they grind the castings burrs off the edge leaving big belt lines in the blade setting them self's up for a crack to start ,if this were polished in this area it would be alot stronger ,yes stronger by polishing and greatly reducing the chances of failure. I also see alot of cavation burns on the prop blades even though it may look [polished to some,it's has been cavating and under TREMDOUS FATIGUE.
Last edited by HOUSTONPROP; 09-09-2004 at 12:59 AM.
09-13-2004 | 05:29 PM
#37
Thread Starter
Rob
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 21,637
Likes: 12
From: Ms
Re: Losing prop blades
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09-14-2004 | 07:06 PM
#40
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 33
From: Connecticut
Re: Losing prop blades
Hugetime might have a point...I've seen the same thing with Kaama drives...the slapping knocks a blade off. The balance thing could be an issue too. The Kaamas tended to be less likely to throw a blade on a 4 blade, probably a combo of less stress per blade, and better balance. Are your drives indexed? Maybe 2.75 isn't really 2.75? How would a quality 5 blade work for your set-up?
