Hey, been in the automotive business for over 30 years. That shaft did not look that bad and there are alternatives for small grooves then replacing the shaft. Also, that may be why it was so hard to find a shaft in stock (think about it...parts that are in stock..and in quantity are those that typically fail - supply and demand). Here are some commonly used options: 1. Speedi-Sleeve (Shaft Repair Sleeve) • A Speedi-Sleeve is a thin, cylindrical metal sleeve that fits over the damaged area of the shaft. It provides a smooth new sealing surface for the oil seal to ride on. • Advantages: • Quick and easy to install. • Avoids the need for shaft replacement or extensive machining. • Relatively inexpensive. • Steps: • Clean the shaft and remove any burrs. • Slide the sleeve over the worn area and press it into place. • Replace the oil seal with one that matches the sleeve’s dimensions. 2. Offsetting the Seal Position • If the groove is shallow, you can move the oil seal slightly along the shaft to an unworn section. • Advantages: • Simple and cost-effective. • Requires minimal modification. • Steps: • Use a spacer behind the seal or reposition the housing (if adjustable) to shift the seal. 3. Welding and Re-Machining • The worn area of the shaft can be filled with weld material and then machined back to the original dimensions. • Advantages: • Restores the shaft to like-new condition. • Suitable for severe wear or high-load applications. • Disadvantages: • Time-consuming and requires specialized equipment. • More expensive than some alternatives. 4. Metal Spraying (Thermal Spraying) • This involves spraying a layer of metal onto the damaged surface of the shaft, followed by machining to restore the original size. • Advantages: • Ideal for shafts that can’t be replaced or welded. • Creates a hard, durable surface. • Disadvantages: • Requires specialized equipment and expertise. 5. Epoxy Repair Compounds • Epoxy-based metal repair compounds can fill the groove, creating a smooth surface for the seal. • Advantages: • Inexpensive and easy to apply. • Suitable for low-stress applications. • Disadvantages: • May not be durable in high-pressure or high-speed applications. 6. Custom-Built Seal • Have a custom oil seal made with an adjusted lip position to ride on an undamaged section of the shaft. • Advantages: • Avoids shaft modifications. • Disadvantages: • Costlier than standard seals. • Requires precise measurements and custom manufacturing. 7. Polishing or Grinding the Shaft • For very shallow grooves, polishing or lightly grinding the shaft to remove rough edges may be sufficient. Pair this with a new seal that fits the slightly reduced diameter. • Advantages: • Quick and inexpensive for minor damage. • Disadvantages: • Not suitable for deep grooves. Which Option to Choose? • For minor wear, a Speedi-Sleeve or repositioning the seal is often the simplest and most cost-effective solution. • For severe wear, welding and re-machining or metal spraying may be necessary. • For emergency or temporary fixes, epoxy compounds can work in low-demand situations. Glad it all worked out and thanks for sharing !
The shaft already had two sleeves on it. We would have liked to find a machine shop to build the metal up over the groove then grind back down to spec, but no one was willing to do it in as short of a turnaround time as getting a new one, and we were racking up quite the bill sitting in that yard🤑 We kept the old shaft and hope to revive it when time/resources allow!
Thank you for the input! We love hearing from pros. All things we considered, but as you can imagine time, price and resources were incredibly limited. We kept the old shaft and are hoping to restore it one day! 🤞🏼 We’ll document the process when we do, and then we’ll carry it as a spare for the future😅
In our experience, even if the package arrives in Tahiti quickly, it takes weeks to clear customs. Plus, there is a $200 fee per package regardless of if it is duty free. We were paying too much money per day to sit in that yard and wait, air fare was cheaper! You’d be shocked how many boaters I met at the airport who were also doing a parts run🤪
Hey, been in the automotive business for over 30 years. That shaft did not look that bad and there are alternatives for small grooves then replacing the shaft. Also, that may be why it was so hard to find a shaft in stock (think about it...parts that are in stock..and in quantity are those that typically fail - supply and demand).
Here are some commonly used options:
1. Speedi-Sleeve (Shaft Repair Sleeve)
• A Speedi-Sleeve is a thin, cylindrical metal sleeve that fits over the damaged area of the shaft. It provides a smooth new sealing surface for the oil seal to ride on.
• Advantages:
• Quick and easy to install.
• Avoids the need for shaft replacement or extensive machining.
• Relatively inexpensive.
• Steps:
• Clean the shaft and remove any burrs.
• Slide the sleeve over the worn area and press it into place.
• Replace the oil seal with one that matches the sleeve’s dimensions.
2. Offsetting the Seal Position
• If the groove is shallow, you can move the oil seal slightly along the shaft to an unworn section.
• Advantages:
• Simple and cost-effective.
• Requires minimal modification.
• Steps:
• Use a spacer behind the seal or reposition the housing (if adjustable) to shift the seal.
3. Welding and Re-Machining
• The worn area of the shaft can be filled with weld material and then machined back to the original dimensions.
• Advantages:
• Restores the shaft to like-new condition.
• Suitable for severe wear or high-load applications.
• Disadvantages:
• Time-consuming and requires specialized equipment.
• More expensive than some alternatives.
4. Metal Spraying (Thermal Spraying)
• This involves spraying a layer of metal onto the damaged surface of the shaft, followed by machining to restore the original size.
• Advantages:
• Ideal for shafts that can’t be replaced or welded.
• Creates a hard, durable surface.
• Disadvantages:
• Requires specialized equipment and expertise.
5. Epoxy Repair Compounds
• Epoxy-based metal repair compounds can fill the groove, creating a smooth surface for the seal.
• Advantages:
• Inexpensive and easy to apply.
• Suitable for low-stress applications.
• Disadvantages:
• May not be durable in high-pressure or high-speed applications.
6. Custom-Built Seal
• Have a custom oil seal made with an adjusted lip position to ride on an undamaged section of the shaft.
• Advantages:
• Avoids shaft modifications.
• Disadvantages:
• Costlier than standard seals.
• Requires precise measurements and custom manufacturing.
7. Polishing or Grinding the Shaft
• For very shallow grooves, polishing or lightly grinding the shaft to remove rough edges may be sufficient. Pair this with a new seal that fits the slightly reduced diameter.
• Advantages:
• Quick and inexpensive for minor damage.
• Disadvantages:
• Not suitable for deep grooves.
Which Option to Choose?
• For minor wear, a Speedi-Sleeve or repositioning the seal is often the simplest and most cost-effective solution.
• For severe wear, welding and re-machining or metal spraying may be necessary.
• For emergency or temporary fixes, epoxy compounds can work in low-demand situations.
Glad it all worked out and thanks for sharing !
The shaft already had two sleeves on it. We would have liked to find a machine shop to build the metal up over the groove then grind back down to spec, but no one was willing to do it in as short of a turnaround time as getting a new one, and we were racking up quite the bill sitting in that yard🤑 We kept the old shaft and hope to revive it when time/resources allow!
@@HollyandRay Find a shop that does spray welding and machining. Its not as expensive as many think.
Love your show.... Mahalo....
Love hate relationship with the like button. Like the video and appreciate the content, hate your struggles. Thanks as always for sharing.
Thank you for the kind words and for watching! We’re keeping our chins up over here😅
@ just curious, did you have any hiccups with the parts on the way back with customs?
Nope! 🙏🏼
I think we are all jealous of that Texas bbq... sure made my tummy rumble.
That’s one thing we can’t replicate on the boat😵💫
I think Holly got the better deal….wax in heat or fly private jet….lol
Haha, you are SO right! 👸🏼
Updated my comment with options
Thank you for the input! We love hearing from pros. All things we considered, but as you can imagine time, price and resources were incredibly limited. We kept the old shaft and are hoping to restore it one day! 🤞🏼 We’ll document the process when we do, and then we’ll carry it as a spare for the future😅
So, in other words, haul a second boat if headed to FP. Loo
Or have guests fly out to visit every other week with a suitcase full of parts for ya🤷🏼♀️
It is not a bad idea to have a spare catamaran in tow.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
For real! Or have friends/family visit every week with an extra suitcase of boat parts🤣
They need a spare crew for the spare sailboat (sailing it is more efficient). I call shotgun!
Why couldn't Just Catamarans post the part to you? It should be duty free, as you are in transit.
In our experience, even if the package arrives in Tahiti quickly, it takes weeks to clear customs. Plus, there is a $200 fee per package regardless of if it is duty free. We were paying too much money per day to sit in that yard and wait, air fare was cheaper! You’d be shocked how many boaters I met at the airport who were also doing a parts run🤪