Re: re-hub prop
It's not too difficult. Pressing out the old hub is easy because it is worn already and you don't care about destroying the rubber. If it not completely torn apart, you may be able to salvage it using rubber cement or RTV silicone. Don't hold high hopes though. Personally, I just figure that since I am doing it myself, I will experiment and see what happens--might get lucky, might not. Either way, no harm, no foul. Worst that can happen is I need to put in a new hub, and that was in the program anyway. 'Smatter of fact, I have made new rubber biscuits using proper thickness high durometer sheet rubber glued to the bronze hub with industrial rubber adhesive. Worked on a 10 inch prop.
Pressing in the new hub takes a little more care. As I understand it, prop shops have a jig that compresses the rubber donut as it enters the prop. Without the jig, the rubber is going to want to compress and get fatter as you press it, making it more difficult to push in.
I have never used the jig though and have had good luck. I slather the rubber and the inside of the prop with RTV silicone since it acts like lubricant and will also set up inside the prop. Then I just press in the hub. Depending on your prop, you may need to be careful not to press it in too far. This will keep the prop from contacting the gearcase. However, on props that use a thrust washer, you need to press it in far enough to clear the thrust washer.
Bottom line: Look at the old hub to see where it is positioned. If you have a spare prop, better to check position on that one. Enjoy!
