Prop Shaft

[Ken Webb]

What type shaft do you use with needle bearings? I have an Octura that says not to use with needle bearings. .187 dia

 

[Andy Brown]

For needle bearing use the shaft needs to be hardened. Dumas used to make hardened 17-4PH .187" solid shafts. If you are talking about a flex shaft the 'Hughey shafts' with hardened stub shaft is what you need.

 

[Glenn Gates]

I could be mistaken but the Hughey shafts appear to have a 17-4 PH stub also- it turns a golden brown color when heat treated to condition H-900- about 45 on the Rockwell C scale. I have run these in needle bearings with no issues.

 

[John Beardslee]

The original Dumas & Mr. G's 17-4PH shafts were heat treated and then nitrided which gave a Rock C70 surface for the needle bearing to run on.