What is the best way to get a stuck prop off?

[PFord]

What is the best way to get a stuck prop off?

[capnzee]

Are you talking tapered shaft as in inboard or splined shaft as in outboard? If you have the proper thrust washer on a splined shaft, plus a little lube, you should never "stick" a prop on a splined shaft. If for some unknown reason the prop does "stick", I would use a rubber hammer and "work" my way around the prop by hitting a blade at a time while putting some pressure on the opposite blade. DONOT TRY TO APPLY FORCE BY USING A PRY BAR! If you have a solid hub, you could try heat, but this is one of the last resorts. If you have a "rubber" hub, you will cook the the hub before the heat reaches the spline.
You will need a prop puller to remove a prop from a tapered shaft. This is done in the same manner as pulling a fly wheel. Tighten the centering bolt and then hit it with a hammer. (Leave the nut on the end of the shaft in a loose manner to prevent the prop, puller and key from "exploding" from the shaft when it comes loose. Hope this helps. Capnzee

[Raceman]

I bought a salty Merc several months ago and the prop was stuck. I tried bumping it with a 2 X 4 block and a heavy ballpeen and it wouldn't budge. An old Merc dealer had a puller that had 3 peices of chain on it. He said it was a Merc tool from the 50's. It pulled it right off. He said sometimes they're stuck so hard it'll pull the rubber hub out of the middle, but this one didn't.

Maybe you can borrow the tool from somebody that's been around a while.

[eli]

take off the prop nut ,put the boat in the water and go hit a rock bar it will come off. lol . sorry couldnt resist i,m funny:D

[Capt.Insane-o]

I was pissed and it was a desperate attempt, but it worked. Take the nut off and back it into the water strapped to the trailer, and run 'er in reverse hard. Came right off. Not saying this is the best method, LOL.

[MattGreen]

Chain-type prop pullers are still available, Bob Kerr's tools and others still sell them I think. They usually work well, but if the splines are actually twisted, you have a hell of a job ahead of you.

have fun,

Matt

[LaserModVee]

MattGreen-I searched for Bob Kerr tools and found nothing. I am looking for a puller to do the same thing.

I did find a puller located at the bottom of this webpage- http://www.a1discountprop.com/toolingoutboard.htm

I wonder if that would work? I can't tell if it's a two or three jaw puller from the pic.

[Ted Stryker]

I usually put a piece of pine board between the base of a blade and the trailing edge/end of the lower unit.. This moves the small amount of "play" in the propshaft rearward... The wood wants to hold the wheel in that position... I place another piece of wood over the end of the propshaft and give it a quick pop with a light hammer forcing the propshaft back to it's original position while the prop hopefully doesn't move.... It's never failed for us but I'm not arrogant enough to think that it will work every time... Good luck..

[PFord]

Thanks for the info guys. I was able to borrow a prop puller like listed in the link above. After getting the prop off it looks as if the shaft is very slightly twisted. The prop I had been running had some of the splines cut out and the one I put on was full length splines so when I tightened it down it was basically stuck on there.

[capnzee]

I have a feeling you have a prop that is meant for a different brand of engine (eg. OMC vs Merc) I would not put your "unstuck" prop back on that engine. Capnzee