Prop Shaft Corrosion and Speedi-Sleeves

[Trevor]

Hello all,

It is that time of year when Sapphire is lifted and has the bottom cleaned and new antifoul applied. Prior to this I noticed too much water was coming in through the volvo seal (Prop shaft seal). It was starting to get a bit concerning. I had applied some grease under the lip of the seal back in November last year but to no avail.

No problem, a simple task of replacing the volvo seal........easy right?......WRONG!! Hahahaha...

The shaft at the seal had become corroded as only 316 stainless robbed of oxygen can. Severe pitting meant that just putting in a new seal would not last as the rough surface would chop it up in no time. The last time this happpend to me many years ago on a different boat it was fixed by replacing the prop shaft. As the problem was explained by the mechanic I braced for the worst but he explained he would fit a thing called a Speedi-Sleeve. I didn't know what a Speedi-Sleeve was. It is a cylindrical sleeve with a wall thickness of 0.28mm that can be slid down the shaft over the corroded section. The interference fit keeps it in place and it presents a beautifully smooth surface to the new seal. Let's hope it works, doesn't corrode too quickly and stays in place.

This is where I learn everyone knew what a Speedi-Sleeve was but me..........and nobody uses Speedi-Sleeves becasue they dont work on prop shafts. (If that is the case please dont tell me for at least 2 months).

Anyway, I thought people might like to know how the prop shaft can be repaired at least temporarily without replacing it.

Regards,

Trevor

[MalcolmP]

Hi Trevor

Have not used the Speediseal myself. But Sailbleu has and if it is good enough for him then I am sure you will be fine.

This is his write up of using one to fix a water pump www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/rawwaterpump.html

Malcolm

[Tafika II]

Hi Trevor!
No problems on my seal...yet, but if the day comes, what is the exact Speedi-Sleeve model number you purchased?
I'll be following this so keep us updated!

[mikebz]

They are also useful when a crankshaft seal has worn a groove in the bearing surface of the crankshaft and consequently weep oil.

[Trevor]

Thanks Malcolm for the information from Sailbleu. If it is good enough for him I am convinced it is ok.

Brent, I don’t know the exact model but of course it is for a 30mm shaft. It was done by a mechanic who I think may have heated it to get it in position. Time will tell if it is successful.

Trevor

[KlemenR]

Thanks Trevor,

good to know how to at least temporarily fix a damaged axle.

This is interesting as I was working on my cutless bearing last week and had some serious problems with it. The original part should be all rubber but obviously the previous owner didn't get one like that and has inserted a brass coated one. So now I couldn’t get it out no way it was all fused with the frame.

The mechanic suggested a shaft removal but as always had no time for 10 days. So I made a tool to go over the distal part of the shaft and drilled out the entire bearing. The shaft stayed on a safe distance inside the tool - hope so. If it had got bruised my new bearing will be destroyed shortly.





So maybe in this case I could slid on one of those Speedi-Sleeves...

Cheers Klemen

[Trevor]

Very nice tool making Klemens. Looks like a delicate operation if the p bracket is to remain untouched. My cutlass bearing had a small amount of movement at the recent haulout so I am hoping when it is replaced at the next haulout it comes away as it should.