Greasing your flex shaft ?.

[rchippie]

I have seen some struts that have a small hole in the side . Can i assume this is for lubing the flexshaft ?. If that is what it is for i was thinking about drilling a small hole in the strut of my sv27 & my out rigger . Any opinions ?.

[BHChieftain]

On the proboat fastech, that is what the hole is for.
-Chief

[Jeff Wohlt]

It will only lube the shaft in the strut. I put them in the bearing struts so a person can fill with oil before running.

ALWAYS clean and lube the flex every couple of runs. I use a white lith grease synthetic from walmart in the boat section and then I puts drops of oil down it. Makes it very slick. I have also used Chainsaw Bar oil...very sticky and made for clinging on a saw chain...works well. Then there is stop smoke motor honey lube you can get cheap at a dollar general....thick and slick.

[rchippie]

It will only lube the shaft in the strut. I put them in the bearing struts so a person can fill with oil before running.

ALWAYS clean and lube the flex every couple of runs. I use a white lith grease synthetic from walmart in the boat section and then I puts drops of oil down it. Makes it very slick. I have also used Chainsaw Bar oil...very sticky and made for clinging on a saw chain...works well. Then there is stop smoke motor honey lube you can get cheap at a dollar general....thick and slick.

So you put oil in the bearing strut in stead of grease ?.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Not on NON bearing struts. I am talking real bearings. For anything else I grease and oil...makes a good combo.

[rchippie]

Not on NON bearing struts. I am talking real bearings. For anything else I grease and oil...makes a good combo.

Do you drill the hole all the way thru the strut housing or just thru one side of the housing & bushing ?. Also were is the best location to drill the hole ?. I assume in the middle is probably the best . Also what size hole should i drill in the strut ?.

[BHChieftain]

On the proboat fastech, that is what the hole is for.
-Chief

To clarify, you still need to remove the flexdrive to grease the full length, as Jeff points out this hole only gets grease in the strut.

-Chief

[rchippie]

To clarify, you still need to remove the flexdrive to grease the full length, as Jeff points out this hole only gets grease in the strut.

-Chief

Yes i understand that . I figured the hole would be used if im at the lake all day . Then i could just squirt a little grease in the strut in between full maintenance sessions. Is it best put put the hole in the middle of the strut , also how big of a hole is recomended ?.

[BHChieftain]

Yes i understand that . I figured the hole would be used if im at the lake all day . Then i could just squirt a little grease in the strut in between full maintenance sessions. Is it best put put the hole in the middle of the strut , also how big of a hole is recomended ?.

I took out my drill bits to see how big the hole is on the fastech-- looks pretty close to 5/64. The hole is in the middle of the strut.

Note, I use this grease gun:

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...rod=dh-prb0100

Might want to get the gun first, then start small and enlarge a bit at a time to fit the grease nozzle.

-Chief

[rchippie]

I took out my drill bits to see how big the hole is on the fastech-- looks pretty close to 5/64. The hole is in the middle of the strut.

Note, I use this grease gun:

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...rod=dh-prb0100

Might want to get the gun first, then start small and enlarge a bit at a time to fit the grease nozzle.

-Chief

Thank you thats the info i needed .

[m4a1usr]

On the proboat fastech, that is what the hole is for.
-Chief

Doesnt matter whose strut you are talking about the hole in the strut is for release of the lubrication material to exit as heat builds. Over pressureization here is the factor. Since lubricant expansion is the issue the purpose is solely to facilitate possible issues related to adequate lubrication and bearing movement as temperature increases.

In simple terms you dont want the bearings/races to push outward with increasing temps due to heating of lubrication materials and therefore increasing friction on the rotating components. The hole allows the pressure to escape. Very basic engineering.


John

[rchippie]

I took out my drill bits to see how big the hole is on the fastech-- looks pretty close to 5/64. The hole is in the middle of the strut.

Note, I use this grease gun:

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...rod=dh-prb0100

Might want to get the gun first, then start small and enlarge a bit at a time to fit the grease nozzle.

-Chief

Can i assume the hole in the strut only goes thru one side not all the way thru both sides ?.

[lectriglide]

Yes, one side only.

[rchippie]

Yes, one side only.

Thank you .

[Jeff Wohlt]

For bearing struts it also dispells water after a run and keeps the bearings lubed.

When greasing after a run it does the same thing....pushes the water out. I prefer to remove mine and do it right when running bushings. Bearings need a little different treatment.