Just want to drop a comment saying how helpful this video was. Bought all the equipment recommended and did it in about 30 mins. Got my kayak used 4 years ago and never did maintenance until today. Despite such a long time and pretty regular use, the gears were in good shape. Definitely smoother than before though. Thanks!
Great tutorial/demonstration Ryan ! The Native Propel Drive is the simplest and most robust of all the peddle drive units out there in my opinion. Thanks for the links to the tools. Good job bud !
If anyone starts getting clanking or other noises and the pedaling isn't smooth, check to make sure you didn't strip a gear. The small gear on the upper transmission on my propel drive was jacked up after two years of use so I had to replace it. It was an easy fix, but I would have thought it would have lasted a little longer.
Yes, did the routine maintenance following your step by step video a couple times. All of a sudden a couple months ago, it started with the loud noises and clanking. I push the drive too hard sometimes so I think that's why the smaller gear stripped. @@RhinoJoeOutdoors
I feel like the red and tacky grease would do well also. Main issue is with the grease native recommends is it slings off the drive. Im sure they went with that based on some environmental requirements or something. If my drive was out of warranty I would probably just do an oil conversion on it .. amzn.to/3tyUzxr
Looks like a well-built unit! Check out a video Florida fish Hunter posted I think it was called native drive oil conversion. He changed it from a grease to an gear oil conversion in the lower unit.
@@RhinoJoeOutdoors It is not just put some oil, it is fill all the unit with engine oil, all components stay permanently imersed in lubricant it makes the drive extra smooth, much quieter.
@@aranha9365 The problem is if you buy the unit new putting oil in it will void the warranty with the manufacturer. If it weren’t for that I would have use some gear oil like you use in a vehicle differential or in a lower unit on a boat.
I noticed as soon as you touch your pedals the propeller responds immediately...Mine has about 1/8" of play when I move my pedals before the propller responds, I thought that was normal, guess not. What could be that be? Do i need to tighten something?
Make sure the top silver ring that screws in is tight. That's what sets your pre-load on this type of ring and pinion gear system. Sounds like the ring gear from the pedals isn't close enough to your pinion gear on the shaft.
@@RhinoJoeOutdoors Hey thanks for getn back with me...I am not sure what's meant by "top silver ring" can you elaborate? Or let me know which area on the drive has this "silver ring".
@@RhinoJoeOutdoors Oh ok, hmmm I have never touched that its still sealed/tightened from the factory...However I have opened the lower unit in the past to fill it with gear oil but that "play" existed prior to me doing that "maintenance uograde" but I will give it a double check...Thanks again!!
@@prynceal6762 no problem. If you ever work on vehicle differentials it’s the same concept. If you search google for Yukon gear ring and pinion setup you will get an idea of how the gears should mesh. I would suspect the gears aren’t tight into each other enough. In a vehicle it’s a lot more crucial with the loads transferred. I would check on it though because if it’s too loose and you put too much pressure on it you could possibly cause a gear tooth to break.
Searched the Facebook group for spanner wrench and came across your video. Thank you for the detailed walk through and tools used. Went on Amazon and ordered what I needed and am super excited about taking this long over due project on.
There are 4 bolts on the bottom and four on the top. You don't need a spanner wrench to grease the gears. Nor do you have to take off the pedals. I have a video of the complete break down of the drive. All parts and components removed.
I’m hoping the manufacturers start using the “ISIS” style of splined bottom bracket system in their drives. The arms stay tight much longer and the system is just a stronger mate up of the cranks arms and bottom bracket spindle.
Do not buy the Amazon arm puller I highly suggest getting the burley pro set. If your crank arm is even a little tighter than it should be from the factory the center push screw is just small enough to ruin your threads. 200$ mistake for trying to save money on the tools. This guy got lucky not to experience this but take my word for it get the burley pro set
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This should be the go-to video on maintenance for this drive. Great job!
Thanks! I greatly appreciate it
Just want to drop a comment saying how helpful this video was. Bought all the equipment recommended and did it in about 30 mins. Got my kayak used 4 years ago and never did maintenance until today. Despite such a long time and pretty regular use, the gears were in good shape. Definitely smoother than before though. Thanks!
That's awesome! Its not super hard to do and gives you confidence your drive is in good condition. Especially when you are out a long ways
Joe, nice step by step on how to maintain your kayak propel drive. Have a great week my friend, Blessings!
Great tutorial/demonstration Ryan ! The Native Propel Drive is the simplest and most robust of all the peddle drive units out there in my opinion.
Thanks for the links to the tools. Good job bud !
Thanks! It was late and I’m really happy with how it turned out! I just hope it helps someone who is apprehensive about tackling this job
Awesome video your a excellent technician and teacher
I appreciate that!
If anyone starts getting clanking or other noises and the pedaling isn't smooth, check to make sure you didn't strip a gear. The small gear on the upper transmission on my propel drive was jacked up after two years of use so I had to replace it. It was an easy fix, but I would have thought it would have lasted a little longer.
Thanks for the input. I find that odd too. Had you ever disassembled it?
Yes, did the routine maintenance following your step by step video a couple times. All of a sudden a couple months ago, it started with the loud noises and clanking. I push the drive too hard sometimes so I think that's why the smaller gear stripped. @@RhinoJoeOutdoors
I would thing the metal used would be stronger than that. Sorry to hear that happened but glad you got it figured out. @@nj_angler_kjb
I would have thought so too. 3-4 grooves from the smaller gear were worn down quite a bit. Anyway, easy fix! Thanks for the video.@@RhinoJoeOutdoors
Great video, thanks for the walkthrough.
Glad it was helpful!
Any good alternatives to the silver 70 grease? It's been out on the website for months
I feel like the red and tacky grease would do well also. Main issue is with the grease native recommends is it slings off the drive. Im sure they went with that based on some environmental requirements or something. If my drive was out of warranty I would probably just do an oil conversion on it ..
amzn.to/3tyUzxr
Nice HOWTO Ryan! I've been putting off doing this to my 701 for months.
Thanks ! Yeah so have i
What country makes the propel drive
I think its made in the USA but not 100% sure
What size bolt did you use for that rotogrip on your drive?
Hey Evan! I did a little video on it and all the parts are in the description of that video! ruclips.net/video/LIkAsDhQGwk/видео.html
Nice Video thanks
So glad you enjoyed it. Hope it helps you! Thanks for commenting! Have a great weekend
Can you take off the gear without removing the pedals?
Looks like a well-built unit! Check out a video Florida fish Hunter posted I think it was called native drive oil conversion. He changed it from a grease to an gear oil conversion in the lower unit.
I don’t want to void my warranty so I’ve kept mine greased
works far better than grease! Really worth it. Mine is 3 years now, 2 on oil.
@@RhinoJoeOutdoors It is not just put some oil, it is fill all the unit with engine oil, all components stay permanently imersed in lubricant it makes the drive extra smooth, much quieter.
@@aranha9365 The problem is if you buy the unit new putting oil in it will void the warranty with the manufacturer. If it weren’t for that I would have use some gear oil like you use in a vehicle differential or in a lower unit on a boat.
FFH is a badass
I noticed as soon as you touch your pedals the propeller responds immediately...Mine has about 1/8" of play when I move my pedals before the propller responds, I thought that was normal, guess not. What could be that be? Do i need to tighten something?
Make sure the top silver ring that screws in is tight. That's what sets your pre-load on this type of ring and pinion gear system. Sounds like the ring gear from the pedals isn't close enough to your pinion gear on the shaft.
@@RhinoJoeOutdoors Hey thanks for getn back with me...I am not sure what's meant by "top silver ring" can you elaborate? Or let me know which area on the drive has this "silver ring".
@@prynceal6762 it’s the part where the crank arm attaches. It’s the silver ring that you have to use the spanner wrench on.
@@RhinoJoeOutdoors Oh ok, hmmm I have never touched that its still sealed/tightened from the factory...However I have opened the lower unit in the past to fill it with gear oil but that "play" existed prior to me doing that "maintenance uograde" but I will give it a double check...Thanks again!!
@@prynceal6762 no problem. If you ever work on vehicle differentials it’s the same concept. If you search google for Yukon gear ring and pinion setup you will get an idea of how the gears should mesh. I would suspect the gears aren’t tight into each other enough. In a vehicle it’s a lot more crucial with the loads transferred. I would check on it though because if it’s too loose and you put too much pressure on it you could possibly cause a gear tooth to break.
if you want it realy quiet, you can put gear oil in the tail piece
I think the bearing in the lower casing of my propel is no good. How do you get into it to replace a bad bearing?
You have to take the lower housing off I believe
Does doing this void your warranty if you service it yourself?
It should not void the warranty. You could always check with native or your dealer to be sure.
Kaku pedal drive fits in the native kayak
Kaku kayaks
Why dont you take off the left pedal and lube that gear too?
It’s only one ring gear. There aren’t two
Searched the Facebook group for spanner wrench and came across your video. Thank you for the detailed walk through and tools used. Went on Amazon and ordered what I needed and am super excited about taking this long over due project on.
Awesome! Mine is so much more quiet and smooth. I probably should have done this shortly after getting the kayak.
There are 4 bolts on the bottom and four on the top. You don't need a spanner wrench to grease the gears. Nor do you have to take off the pedals. I have a video of the complete break down of the drive. All parts and components removed.
Meu amigo e muito caro este pedal aí onde vc mora aqui no Brasil e muito caro.
I’m hoping the manufacturers start using the “ISIS” style of splined bottom bracket system in their drives. The arms stay tight much longer and the system is just a stronger mate up of the cranks arms and bottom bracket spindle.
Hope this video gives you the confidence to maintain your own Propel Drive!
Do not buy the Amazon arm puller I highly suggest getting the burley pro set. If your crank arm is even a little tighter than it should be from the factory the center push screw is just small enough to ruin your threads. 200$ mistake for trying to save money on the tools. This guy got lucky not to experience this but take my word for it get the burley pro set
I never had a problem with the Amazon puller. I’ve used it on the pedal drive and on my bike with no issues.
Does not work, constantly loses connection and signal. Goes off line way too often....Do your homework.
A propel drive can’t lose signal 🤷🏼♂️
I have been using gear oil for several years and its much smoother. How many of you have made the same conversion grease->oil