Is thier any particualr brand of strut bushing that seems to last longer?

I have been model boating for many years, Nitro and Gas and it seems these strut bushing just do not last long.

Yes my props are balanced and yes I greese my flexcable and prop shaft every outting. I even drilled a small hole in some of my struts for oiling with a small oiler between runs.

My nitro boats bushings seem to last longer, I think its due to the smaller and lighter props less havoc on the bushings as opposed to the Gassers with the larger heavier props.

Thanks

Rcer.

I've been using Aeromarine led teflon bearings with Synthetic grease for many years, they seem to work well for the strut, I would change the bushing for about every 3-4 months.

Are you talking about the push-in lead teflons as pictured or the brass sleeve type? I use the brass sleeves and seem to get good longetivity, but then again I don't get in as much run time as a lot of you guys. Only used the lead teflons in a couple boats in the past and they didn't last nearly as long as the brass bushing setups.

Yeah, I have been running the lead teflons, Octura's, Aeromarine's, and Warehouse Hobbies brand the just dont seem to last.

I do run my boats alot..... usually every weekend and a day or two during the week, so maybe thats all the life I can get out of them!

Maybe I will give the brass sleeves a shot.

I know a few guy's that run needle bearings but those are a PITA too!

Rcer.

If you are running Aeromarine or Octura struts...try this on one. Punch out the bushings, drill the strut 5/16. Run your stuffing tube through the strut...assuming you use welded cables with collet...(you can splice the stuffing tube with a piece of 11/32 over it if you don't want to replace it completely). Use a 9/32 brass sleeve inside the stuffing tube from the prop end. Easy to modify these struts for brass sleeve setup.

Sleeves are easy to make too: www.modelgasboats.com/Magazine...Strut_Bushings/

I think I show the strut mods in one of my Aeromarine hull reviews...not sure anymore!

marc wrote:Yes, I'm talking about the push in lead teflon one, me too, not much running time, just one or two times a week.

I use the brass sleeve bushings. Have MULTIPLE seasons on the same bushings.

I just found a used 3/4" length brass sleeve from my tool box, it's for the 1/4" flex cable, does anyone know where to buy it? it looks heavy duty than the led teflon bushing.

Go to McMaster-Carr's website.

Look under sleeve bearings.

I purchsed the oilite Bronze Bushings: 5/16 O.D. 1/4 I.D. in two different lengths. 1/4" and 1/2". I soaked them in a real viscous oil overnite and installed the longer version in struts.

The dimensions are very tight, right on the money; the Lead Teflon that I removed had a lot of slop in them and I had not run them that much. I have run the heck out of these and there is no slop.

They also carry a steel / teflon version which is similar to the lead teflon; I got a couple of those also but have not tried them.

I also purchased the Teflon tubing for the stuffing tube in 5/16 od and 1/4 id.

Prices are about half of what you would normally pay.

I ordered them before 9:00 am and my doorbell was ringing at 3:00 p.m delivered to my door. Of course that depends on how close you are to one of their warehouses.

planebasher wrote:Thanks for the website, I found that brass sleeve, 1/4" of ID, 5/16" of OD, 3/4" length and material is bronze.