Python drive

[TeeELL]

Has anyone experience of replacing a python drive?  Mine is damaged.

[Tony Brooks]

17 minutes ago, TeeELL said:

Has anyone experience of replacing a python drive?  Mine is damaged.

 

Not a Python, but I took my Aquadrive out and striped it to clean, check for wear, re-lubricate it and get rid of a bit of backlash. It came out easily enough. Undo the nuts holding the shaft half coupling onto the drive half coupling, ditto the gearbox half coupling, undo the two long bolts holding the thrust bearing  into its bracket and then just lift out. No need for any shaft alignment as long as the thrust bearing mounting flange was correctly aligned when the coupling was fitted.

 

What is damaged on yours? I find it difficult to conceive what sort of damage would be likely to occur.

 

 

[mrsmelly]

They are an easy job as Tony has mentioned. I changed one once on the moorings at Thrupp when a hire boat full of morons actualy smashed one, over revving and crashing into gear with something heavy on the prop. The damage had to be seen to be believed. Generaly even on hire boats with a percentage of idiot crews they were very sturdy bits of kit.

[David Mack]

Do you have to replace the whole thing, or are spare parts available?

[mrsmelly]

17 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Do you have to replace the whole thing, or are spare parts available?

iirc it was just one unit with maybe a seperate thrust bearing jobby. Its a simple bolt to a flange at either end of the unit. I think it was one lump? The hire fleet was fitted with PRM 260 boxes mated with python and USUALY lol were bullet proof.

[Tracy D'arth]

I have not dismantles a Python drive but the Aquadrive is made up of one VW and one Porsche CV joint with a custom splined shaft between.

The CV joints are very robust but the splined shaft develops free play, solvable with Loktite. 

 

There are reconditioners of CV joints around if that helps.

 

What is broken?

[cuthound]

Just thinking out loud. Would you lubricate a Python Drive with snake oil? 😅

Edited July 9, 2023 by cuthound
Loud not load

[ditchcrawler]

Brochure Python-Drive Engels.pdf (pythondrive.com)

 

[Tony Brooks]

27 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Do you have to replace the whole thing, or are spare parts available?

 

I am sure the thrust bearing could be replaced and assuming it is like the Aquadrive you can get the two CV joints apart. If one of the rubber boots has failed then if they are not available as spares I think an automotive one could be used to replace it. The grease is ordinary CV joint grease available for motor factors etc. The Aquadrive seems to develop a bit of wear in the spines on the part that link the two CV joints, so I expect the Pythondrive is similar. I cured that with Locktite as advise by TW Marine. Unless water has got into the CV joints, I would not expect significant wear in the tracks or balls. If a CV joint housing has split, I doubt a new part would be available. I would expect the rubber "bobbins" that mount the thrust bearing to be available, but unless contaminated by hydrocarbons I can't see then   failing, just looking a bit perished on the outside.

[TeeELL]

It is a full replacement unfortunately - just one of those things!

[Tony Brooks]

Sorry to persist, but I am sure that is exceptionally rare, exactly what has failed? It all adds to the communal knowledge. Any chance of a photo.

[matty40s]

3 hours ago, TeeELL said:

It is a full replacement unfortunately - just one of those things!

You can get the bearing separately, people keep asking which bit has broken????

[ditchcrawler]

17 minutes ago, matty40s said:

You can get the bearing separately, people keep asking which bit has broken????

The OP doesn't want to tell you

[Tracy D'arth]

I we want to know, asp! It doesn't adder up does it?

[matty40s]

We have repaired several this year, you can buy this bit..

 

For a damn site less than £800, and you can also get the internal bearing for that onnits own for less than £50.

I suppose you want the £800 blue one dont you.

 

You also need to make sure you get the correct length if buying the middle bendy bit. Keep the locking thingymabbobbit off the old one( seen to the rear here as some of the newer ones dont fit on the shaft and might not lock properly.

Edited July 8, 2023 by matty40s

[TeeELL]

I require the complete unit unfortunately.

[matty40s]

Just now, TeeELL said:

I require the complete unit unfortunately.

So you keep telling us, but it doesnt ALL fail, one or more bits fail...and most can be replaced cheaper than the whole unit.

[Alan de Enfield]

Maybe the OP is the Python Drive Sales Manager and doesn't want boaters to think they can buy parts.

In these hard times it must be much more profitable to supply a complete new £800 unit rather than a 50p 'seal'.

[TeeELL]

Look guys, the drive is comprehensively k*******d, 50p seals, wrong coloured bearings etc etc will not repair the fault.  I am not a Python Sales manager - if I was I am sure I wouldn’t have needed to ask for advice here.  It is a dig deep replacement regrettably.  I am trying to ease the pain by determining if I can do the job myself and not bother a nearby boat yard and, undoubtably, get the cost to over a grand.

[Tony Brooks]

59 minutes ago, TeeELL said:

Look guys, the drive is comprehensively k*******d, 50p seals, wrong coloured bearings etc etc will not repair the fault.  I am not a Python Sales manager - if I was I am sure I wouldn’t have needed to ask for advice here.  It is a dig deep replacement regrettably.  I am trying to ease the pain by determining if I can do the job myself and not bother a nearby boat yard and, undoubtably, get the cost to over a grand.

 

If you have a modicum of DIY skill then, as I told in the first reply, yes you can, and it is easy enough. But I think you have a cheek asking for people to spend time giving you free advice and then refusing to give anything back to the forum, so we can all learn something. I trust you won't be surprised if the next time you ask for advice, those who know find it too much trouble to answer.

[system 4-50]

Gently, gently, everybody - lets not get serious!

[matty40s]

1 hour ago, TeeELL said:

Look guys, the drive is comprehensively k*******d, 50p seals, wrong coloured bearings etc etc will not repair the fault.  I am not a Python Sales manager - if I was I am sure I wouldn’t have needed to ask for advice here.  It is a dig deep replacement regrettably.  I am trying to ease the pain by determining if I can do the job myself and not bother a nearby boat yard and, undoubtably, get the cost to over a grand.

The " wrong coloured bearing " is exactly the one that Python use, at a 1/10th of the cost.

You asked if anyone had experience of replacing pythons, yes, but we also try to save our customers money 

[Bee]

Look, if it is the two CV joints then they are automotive parts nothing marine about them at all. Just undo the fixings, wrap it in a rag, take it to a place that deals in drive shafts and collect it next day. All fixed. If it is the thrust bearing then remove it, take it to a power transmission specialists who will supply one of a different colour and then put it all back together. If it is something else, shaft slipping or something then ask again. If it is the 'whole thing' then you must have hit a WW2 mine and blown the back off the boat as well.

[matty40s]

I have a can of Python Blue paint. I will sell it you for £150.....you will still have money if you just listen....🙉

[MtB]

3 hours ago, TeeELL said:

Look guys, the drive is comprehensively k*******d, 50p seals, wrong coloured bearings etc etc will not repair the fault.  I am not a Python Sales manager - if I was I am sure I wouldn’t have needed to ask for advice here.  It is a dig deep replacement regrettably.  I am trying to ease the pain by determining if I can do the job myself and not bother a nearby boat yard and, undoubtably, get the cost to over a grand.

 

Arsy response to people just asking for a photo in return for endless free advice.

 

I smell a rat. There is probably no broken Python drive to photograph, hence all the swerving. Something else is going on.