HELP! I can't get my prop off !! '95 Merc 25HP

[Kymasabe]

I have a 1995 Mercury 25hp and I managed to mangle one blade of the prop at the ramp today. My local West Marine has a replacement prop but I can't seem to get my prop off. It looks like there are two nuts on the threaded shaft that the prop sits on. Outer nut is smaller and looks like is either plastic or plastic coated. The nut beneath it is much larger, 1&1/16th inch, metal, and I'm trying to unscrew it but it won't move, all it feels like I'm doing is twisting the hub. I tried to hold the prop still by wedging a prybar between the mangle blade and the trim tab, and I broke the trim tab right off.
So, now I have a prop I don't know how to get off (that, by the way seems loose on that shaft, has some play on the shaft) and now need a new trim tab.

What am I doing wrong?

This is my first Mercury. I come from a lifetime of Evinrude/Johnson. I've pulled my Evinrude and Johnson props in the past, all pretty simple and straight forward. This damn thing has me pulling my hair out!

HELP !

 

[Kymasabe]

Re: HELP! I can't get my prop off !! '95 Merc 25HP

Duh, went out and took another look, gave the prop a light tap with a rubber mallet and it popped right off, the big nut I was trying to remove IS part of the hub.
New question though...why was my prop held on by only a small plastic nut?
And why is that threaded shaft so long? Should there be a cone or something else back there?

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: HELP! I can't get my prop off !! '95 Merc 25HP

Never heard of such a thing, should be a metal lock-nut with a nylon insert. Some pics might help us figure out what you are looking at, I confused by what you thought was a nut and is actually just the hub. It should all come apart fairly easily, although I did have to use the air tools (impact gun) to get the nut off my ol' 50 merc...but that's a long story.


Ian

 

[backyard mechanic]

Re: HELP! I can't get my prop off !! '95 Merc 25HP

Duh, went out and took another look, gave the prop a light tap with a rubber mallet and it popped right off, the big nut I was trying to remove IS part of the hub.
New question though...why was my prop held on by only a small plastic nut?
And why is that threaded shaft so long? Should there be a cone or something else back there?

Merc props are held onto the prop shaft with a brass nut with a nylon insert (AKA nylok stop nut). They also have a lock tab to hold it tight. There are several pieces in the lock process. Your description tells me there is some parts missing and you have a vortex prop with the plastic insert. There is no way your prop should come of without removing the nut either way

Before you install your new prop; the propshaft should be lubricated with antiseize grease so that it comes off without a huge hammer.

 

[Kymasabe]

Re: HELP! I can't get my prop off !! '95 Merc 25HP

Well, I stopped by my local Mersury dealer today with my serial number off my motor and wouldn't you know it...my motor DOES have an all-plastic prop nut. I've never heard of such a thing before, but I bought two (at $2 each) and the instructions say to tighten them down to 55 inch/pounds. I have a ft/lbs torque wrench but not inch/lbs. I'm really bothered by the fact it's not a locking nut with tabs or a cotter pin or anything like that.