Propeller Maintenance: Should You Repair or Replace?
Engineered for durability and designed for precision, propellers are made to withstand the rigors of flight. But, like any piece of machinery, they’re not immune to wear and tear.
Which begs the question: when it comes to propeller maintenance, is it smarter to repair or replace?
On one hand, repairing the propeller you have extends the life of the unit, saves you cash in the short term, and can be an in-and-out job that limits your AOG time.
On the other, repairing now just delays the inevitable—which may come sooner than you expect if the repair doesn’t hold.
The high cost of neglect
If you’ve owned an aircraft for any length of time, you already know—the price of parts is skyrocketing. Especially for old, rare, and discontinued parts. That’s why proactive propeller maintenance and comprehensive inspections are key to avoiding exorbitant repair costs.
Recently, a customer called in with a common prop issue: A loose blade, discovered during his pre-flight inspection. While the slight movement wasn’t an AOG situation, it was a concern worth addressing soon. With a simple replacement shim installed behind the snap ring, the blade tightened right up—and he was back in the air in no time.
But some aircraft owners aren’t as proactive as this seasoned pilot.
Whether you’re a commercial pilot or a hobby pilot, your time between overhauls (TBO) recommendations are worth prioritizing. For most propellers, 6 years or 2,400 hours is the recommended TBO. These TBOs aren’t put in place to ground your aircraft—they’re tested and proven guidelines meant to keep unaddressed wear and tear from threatening your next flight.
A neglected propeller, marred by wear and tear, can cost thousands to reshape or replace. And even seemingly small issues, like leaking oil from the unit, can spiral into costly repairs. But meticulous pre-flight checks can reveal these underlying issues when they’re far cheaper to fix.
When you find anissue, should you repair or replace?
Another customer reached out last summer with a complicated dilemma. After damaging all three blades on one wing’s propeller, he called to ask, “Is repairing or replacing a better value?”
We estimated the cost to repair all three blades, and compared that to the price of a whole new propeller. Surprisingly, a new unit was only slightly more than a repair—and would give him a whole new hub and assembly. The choice, in the end, depended on his budget, timeline, and safety considerations.
What should you do if you notice a bit of fluid leaking from your hub, or you damage a blade? Is it better to repair or replace? In some cases, opting to replace, rather than repair, can save you money in the long run. But before you shell out the big bucks for a complete upgrade, give our prop shop a call for a full cost analysis. Depending on the age and availability of your components, the best choice may surprise you.
Have a question about your propeller? Our prop shop is one call away
At Aircraft Accessories of Oklahoma, we believe in creating goodwill by doing good work. Our friendly, experienced techs and sales team are more than willing to answer your prop questions, troubleshoot issues, and help you make informed decisions about repairs and maintenance. Whether you’re ready to start your order or just want a second opinion, call 918-835-9924 or send us a message today.
