Stupid Prop

[ksuydam]

Hey guys I am having a problem getting a prop off my 76 50hp Merc. I have used a bearing seperator/puller and a 3 legged bearing puller and heat but this darn thing will barely budge.<br />So I have 3 questions.<br />(1) I didn't hit anything with the prop but it acts like I spun the hub so if that be the case wouldn't the prop be easy to come off?<br />(2)Could it be a damaged forward gear, seems like reverse pulls fine? <br />(3)So how do I know if it's a gear or the prop,and how do I pull of the stupid prop other then cutting the dang thing off the shaft?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Stupid Prop

Use an industrial penetrating oil on the splines and let it soak. Spun hub doesn't have anything to do with the splines, so that isn't the issue.<br />Word of advice for the sake of learning...every year before you winterize (or as you winterize) the boat, pull the prop off, check for fishing line and debris, coat the splines with either gimbal bearing grease or wheel bearing grease-every year.<br />Back to removal...let the penetrating oil soak an hour or so..try the puller again. the heat isn't going to do much because there is rubber between the hub of the prop and the splines in the hub. Hopefully you have the proper puller and should be able to smack the puller with a hammer..you don't want to distort the propshaft though. smack and tighten up, smack and tighten up, etc. It "should" come...

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Stupid Prop

better yet after you cut the prop off,I usually heat it off then cut the splines. take the prop off every month or so to check for fishing line and grease the shaft. volvo duo props are about the worst for sticking. I only have to cut off one set before the customer learns about grease.<br /> good luck with it but dont hit it to hard. the prop shaft bearings dont like it.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Stupid Prop

rodbolt, this is something I never gave much thought to until now...I change props so much, testing this-n-that, and it gets grease everytime-maybe 4-5 times a month!!! Never had one that didn't slide right off though..

 

[ksuydam]

Re: Stupid Prop

Thanks guys I got the dang thing off after a gallon of Kroil and a whole lot of smacking the puller.<br />Guess it was all for nothing though, found a nice crack in the shaft, but it doesn't go into the lower unit or down to the tapered end of the shaft. What you think will it be ok or should I make a nice lamp out of the motor?

 

[merc_500]

Re: Stupid Prop

just put the prop on and driver til she blows.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Stupid Prop

What kind of crack????

 

[ksuydam]

Re: Stupid Prop

the crack runs the length just about where the rubber hub rests on. You can see and feel it.<br />It does not go into the lower unit or pass the taper where the splines are.<br />I am just going to put a band-aide on it and let it fly. It could be cold welded or replaced but I am not going there.