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Prop Catcher up to task?
TimC - 11/9/17 at 06:13 PM

Howdy,

One of the very few jobs remaining on my car involves prop catchers. I've been anticipating needing to get them fabricated at some expense.

However whilst waiting my turn at the local garage, I noticed the selection of exhaust clamps on the wall. This led me to acquire one and now leads me to ask, can I save myself time and expense but still save my legs? Please see the images below.
PropCatchMaybe
PropCatchMaybe

PropCatchMaybe2
PropCatchMaybe2

Thanks.


snapper - 11/9/17 at 06:33 PM

Looks like a good solution to me...
I added some 2mm plate to the tunnel where the prop UJ spins to stop stuff punching through the tunnel sides


tims31 - 11/9/17 at 07:27 PM

I Just made mine out of a piece of bent bar with some angle welded to it to hold in place on a chassis rail.

Description
Description


Matt21 - 11/9/17 at 07:42 PM

Message FASTdan

He sells them.
Stainless steel and £9.99 +£3 postage!!


TimC - 11/9/17 at 07:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Matt21
Message FASTdan

He sells them.
Stainless steel and £9.99 +£3 postage!!


Yes, but they mount from both sides so not ideal in this application.


adithorp - 11/9/17 at 08:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by TimC
quote:
Originally posted by Matt21
Message FASTdan

He sells them.
Stainless steel and £9.99 +£3 postage!!


Yes, but they mount from both sides so not ideal in this application.


Looks like it'll work to me. Mine are pretty similar to Tims31. As long as, should the prop break or come unbolted, it holds the prop' roughly in line. That way the prop just spins. The danger is that it's able to get out of line and flail.


40inches - 11/9/17 at 09:01 PM

Prop catchers do work, only part of me damaged was my trousers



[Edited on 11-9-17 by 40inches]


joneh - 11/9/17 at 09:23 PM

Just checking that:

a: Your attaching it to a rail, rather than aluminium?

b: Use one each end of the prop. The one at the front is the important catcher.


TimC - 11/9/17 at 09:36 PM

Thanks All,

So, I think I'll go with it at the front (yes, through steel) and then something like tims31's at the back end.
RearProp
RearProp


Thanks again.

TimC


Camber Dave - 12/9/17 at 07:26 AM

Hi Tim

Check out farm shops, Tim.
They have 10mm dia 'U' Bolts
The weak point is the junction of the thread and trap nut.
Could be an idea to wind the trap nut to the shank and weld it.

Dave


nick205 - 12/9/17 at 08:10 AM

quote:
Originally posted by tims31
I Just made mine out of a piece of bent bar with some angle welded to it to hold in place on a chassis rail.

Description
Description




This looks a better solution to me.

I didn't have a prop catcher in my MK Indy, were I to have fitted one I would have used this approach.


FuryRebuild - 12/9/17 at 01:56 PM

my plan is to make mine out of kevlar - it's got very high abrasive resistance, and is incredibly strong in stretch. The catcher only needs to absorb angular momentum. I say ... only.

M


loggyboy - 12/9/17 at 02:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by tims31
I Just made mine out of a piece of bent bar with some angle welded to it to hold in place on a chassis rail.

Description
Description




This looks a better solution to me.

I didn't have a prop catcher in my MK Indy, were I to have fitted one I would have used this approach.


As its a IRS diff, I would want the ring it creates to be smaller, still a lot of movement room in that design.


tims31 - 12/9/17 at 09:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by tims31
I Just made mine out of a piece of bent bar with some angle welded to it to hold in place on a chassis rail.

Description
Description




This looks a better solution to me.

I didn't have a prop catcher in my MK Indy, were I to have fitted one I would have used this approach.


As its a IRS diff, I would want the ring it creates to be smaller, still a lot of movement room in that design.


Agree that there may be more movement in the vertical plane but the hoop should be up to the job and at least protect my legs.

This is it with the prop installed, I was more worried about it touching at some point and damaging the prop making it fail.

Description
Description