Quick question, I recently purchased a holdover 2015 Ranger RT188 with a Mercury 115 ProXS. My question is in regards to the prop, it still has the Mercury prop on it however there seems to be a lot of play in it. With everything tightened down properly the prop will move 1/4in back and forth and has some wobble side to side. This does not seem normal to me, is this correct for this motor/prop??

There shouldn't be any wobble. Is the prop on the hub all the way?

Have you be running it like this ? Have you noticed a problem ?

In my experience - when it comes to your out board Prop, I have always preferred it Snug with little to no movement.

Excess Play and /  or especially side to side Wobble is undesirable.

That can translates to VIBTRATION  ~ which at 5 or 6 Thousand RPMs is like crossing the streams in Ghostbusters.

Could be as simple as some type of mis-matched or wore hardware associated with the prop / shaft assembly.

If you're familiar with it check it for fitment -

Generally it's important to refer to your Engine’s Owner Manual for important safety precautions when installing the propeller. Use the original propeller hardware- thrust washer, spacer, locking tab, nut, and cotter pin depending on engine/drive manufacturer. This is a universal installation instruction.

1. Place the original thrust washer on propeller shaft just as it came off. The taper on the thrust washer should mate properly with the taper on the propeller shaft.
2. Grease the propeller shaft.
3. Slide the propeller assembly onto the propeller shaft.
4. Install spacer or washer if required. Consult your engine/drive manual.
5. Install the tab washer if required. Consult your engine/drive manual.
6. Install the shaft nut. Consult your engine/drive manual for proper torque.
7. Install the cotter pin or bend locking tabs so the propeller shaft nut will not loosen. Consult your engine/drive manual. Picture may not be exact to your application. Please consult your owner’s manual

Otherwise, I'd have that addressed by a qualified Mercury Technician - preferably at the dealer you got it from.

 

A-Jay

It has never actually been on the water yet, I just had a hot foot installed and that tech noticed the play in it. He pointed it out and said it did make any sense to him, but not being a Mercury rep and knowing its brand new he said to make sure before running it.

 

Got a chance to look around it, I think they installed the wrong rear thrust hub. The one that in it was the full length of the prop, but there was another one with a drive sleeve in the box of paperwork and such the dealer gave me that is half the length.
 

Well...had a chance to sit down with the book which came with the motor. Found where is says "The Flo-Torq III propeller drive hubs are designed to have a small amount of free play when installed. The free play allows the propeller to slide back and forth on the rear thrust hub (up to 3.17mm[1/8 in]) and rotate up to 10 degrees"

 

This appears to be normal.....