I figured I'd ask here but has anyone swapped a propeller shaft on the newer Evinrude Etechs? My father has a 150 Etech (2016) and hit a rock and it's not severe, but you can see some slight walkout when the propeller shaft turns. He'd like to avoid paying a shop to do it. Has anyone swapped one before and how much of a hassle was it? We're having some difficulty finding like a manual for that engine so any insight on a repair manual or video would be much appreciated as well. I assume the seals should be replaced while it's out as well. If it comes down to it he'll probably take it in. Thanks.

1st thing 1st, locate replacement parts.

Tom

Unless he knows what he is doing, take it to a shop.

I haven't done this motor but I'm guessing it's similar to most other models.

Since he's not replacing any gears, bearings or other parts, he should be able to replace the prop shaft without any of the special jigs and alignment fixtures.  He will probably have to remover the water pump and the vertical drive shaft.  To remove the prop shaft, there are two retainers inside the exhaust port holding the bearing housing in.  Then you use a tool that hooks behind the bearing housing to pull it out.  It can be done with a slide hammer, but it has to be done carefully, a little at the time from different positions around it.  If he has never been into one, I would recommend seeing if a dealer can't get a factory manual.  Screw anything up and it can get super expensive very fast.  Crowley marine has parts breakdowns for most outboard motors and most common parts.

No need to replace a bent prop shaft. That is a big waste of money. On average I straighten at least 10 per week. Guaranteed within .001" or less. $55.00

18 hours ago, marinetech said:

No need to replace a bent prop shaft. That is a big waste of money. On average I straighten at least 10 per week. Guaranteed within .001" or less. $55.00

Gpod to know thanks. I should also mention the actual splines that the prop engages with are a bit wonky. As if the entire shaft twisted a bit. The prop still goes on and off fine so I'm not sure it would matter if the shaft was straightened. 

I do hope he is not still trying to use the motor with a bent prop shaft.  The vibration will destroy the lower unit, and quite possibly cause the shaft to break, depositing the prop on the bottom of the lake and just think of the RPM's that motor is going to hit if it breaks and the motor goes to a no load condition while under power.  Might make one big grenade even if the rev limiter does hold it back some.  I personally would not want one .001" out, that's still a lot of wobble when you figure the weight of that prop and it's turning close to 3,000rpm at WOT.  

 

If it's like a Merc it's a piece of cake.  The hardest part is removing the nut that holds the gears in the lower unit.  Remove the nut and jerk on the shaft to remove it from the housing, slip it off the gears and send it off or replace it.  Replace the seals and o-rings while it's apart.  

On 6/27/2022 at 9:15 AM, Way2slow said:

I do hope he is not still trying to use the motor with a bent prop shaft.  The vibration will destroy the lower unit, and quite possibly cause the shaft to break, depositing the prop on the bottom of the lake and just think of the RPM's that motor is going to hit if it breaks and the motor goes to a no load condition while under power.  Might make one big grenade even if the rev limiter does hold it back some.  I personally would not want one .001" out, that's still a lot of wobble when you figure the weight of that prop and it's turning close to 3,000rpm at WOT.  

You might want to check manufactures specs. If you think .001" is noticeable you are wrong. By the way , broken shafts are very very rare. 

 

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys. He's gonna take it in this week.