87 E38-200 prop strut work/issues

[rbonilla]

Can anyone out there furnish advice on dealing with Prop Strut
alignment/issues on a Ericson 38-200 ? I may be dealing with
a soft/failing strut, that will need to be re-bed, or glassed..back into
the hull... advise/tips always welcome...

 

[Marlin Prowell]

See this thread: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/prop-shaft-strut-source-replacement-ericson-36c.4096

Especially see the posts by Roger Hinds and the drawing he attached.

 

[bigd14]

Here is my write up about replacing the strut: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/1984-e30-strut-replacement-part-1.471/

Its a big job, but not insurmountable. If prop shaft clears the rudder you're good to go. If not, its a good time to either clean up the engine bay and replace all associated hoses and wiring, or drop the rudder and attend to the steering gear.

 

[Afrakes]

Can you give a more detailed description of the "play" in the strut. Is it side to side, front to back, a big wobble, a slight wobble?

 

[Akavishon]

E32-3 ... my prop strut is also slightly wobbly, side to side, maybe 1/16 of an inch.
What are the options? I suspect it's fully glassed in and don't like the idea of digging it out.

 

[Afrakes]

I had barely 1/32" of play at the very bottom of the strut. I drilled a series of 1/8" holes around the strut about 3/4" to 1" away and angled inward towards the strut base. I then injected slightly thickened epoxy into the holes one by one. It was obvious that there was somewhat of a void as epoxy came out of adjacent holes. After the epoxy set up there was no movement in the strut.