Prop root play
 

Can anyone offer advice?

On preflight, I discovered a tiny bit of play in one of the blades of the forward prop. Until I understand what this means, I've grounded the ship.

If I hold the tip of the prop blade between my thumb and index finger and apply pressure on the blade, first fore then aft, a bit of play in the root becomes evident. The other blade has no play, neither do either of the blades on the rear engine.

There is no leakage, and the prop operated normally on the previous flight. The prop was overhauled about 400 hours ago, four years ago, and has about 2200 hours since manufacture.

Does anyone have experience with this problem?

Glad to hear everyone had a great time in OKC. I planned to go, even paid the fee, but knee surgery forced a change in plans.

Best,

Gordon Humphrey

Intersting you should ask... I just had to deal with exactly the same problem.

I chose to remove the prop and have it repaired. I had about 1/8" of movement at the blade tip.

It cost $100 plus shipping to have the blade shimmed.

You can find the needed information on the McCauley Propeller web site. This condition is covered in Service Letter 1989-2C.

You can review the service letter at...

www.mccauley.textron.com/home.html

Once there, select: Product Support
Then: Service Letters and Bulletins
Then: Active Service Letter Summary
Then: Scroll down to the bottom of page 2 and select "1989-2C". That document will describe McCauleys position and specs relating to your problem.

By the way... Good decision to ground the airplane until you determined the required action.

Jim

Thanks, Jim.

Your experience gives me some comfort.

My mechanic likewise says the blade needs re-shimming, but it's OK for now. I"m going to fly it to a prop shop asap.

Best,

Gordon

The last time I dealt with this problem (not on my own airplane) the prop shop refused to attempt to repair the prop and the owner had to buy a new one.
Good luck,
Bob

I was told by my prop shop that a small amount of play is acceptable. However, the correspondant with an eigth of an inch, this sounds excessive.
Sunnysky.

just a caveat to the question of root play, I remember now the experts call it "blade shake". I was told a little is acceptable,after all, if the blades are shimmed up so tight they wouldn't move. Of course when the prop is turning, with the centrifugal effect, this movement is eliminated.
sunnysky

Prop root play eliminated
 

Some good news on this issue.

Sensenich Prop Service, Windham County Airport, CT, eliminated the fore-and-aft play in one of my ship's front engine prop blades in about an hour and a half at a cost of $110 -- less than the cost of fuel to fly there and back from home base in Concord, NH.

It seems the shim sometimes gets compressed and has to be replaced.

Ask for Howard. He is very friendly, impressively knowlegeable and explains matters in detail. 877 456 7944.


There is a good restaurant about ten minutes distant on foot.

I ended up pulling the prop and sent it to a prop shop in NC. Repair was only $100, but shipping was $300. Guess I shoulda put it in the pickup and spent a day on the road.