Stuck prop

tbjtib

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
31
Hi, I have a 90 hp Merc that was in salt water a while before I got it. I can't seem to get the prop off due to corrosion. I have tried penetrating oil and a rubber hammer but no luck. Could I use a propane torch to heat the prop? Any ideas would be appreciated(except a hacksaw)! Thanks,Timb
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Stuck prop

Timb,<br /><br />You can do that however you will probably destroy the rubber hub inside the prop.<br /><br />The other alternative is to have a dealer pull it. They have tools for this. Either way, you're probably looking at a new prop. or a rebuild of your current one.
 

Jack Shellac

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Messages
1,661
Re: Stuck prop

I've used a torch and it worked OK. Just heat it gently all around and keep tapping it with a ball peen hammer. The rubber hammer spreads the impact too much. Needless to say, do everthing gently and don't get it too hot. If this fails, you may just have to keep wet with WD-40 for a few days and try again. By the way, the WD40 will catch on fire if it gets too hot. Trust me on this.
 

alcan

Commander
Joined
Dec 14, 2001
Messages
2,505
Re: Stuck prop

Hello Timb <br /> There are a couple methods. Some guys burn the rubber hub out and chisel the bushing off the shaft. In which case you still need a trip to the prop shop. Odds are pretty good that it time for a new prop anyway. My opinion is, don,t horse around with this. Get your hacksaw and chisel. Cut that sucker off and get a new one. Now I suppose this is one of those fancy,expencive racing props. If thats the case it might be worth horsing around with.
 

cpasseno03

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 14, 2002
Messages
246
Re: Stuck prop

Can you get a puller on it? Such as a flywheel puller? Pry with screwdrivers for example and tap the shaft with the nut on so as to not damage threads. with a (brass if possible) hammer at the same time... I would try heating it if these dont work, but dont over do it.<br /><br />Or...If you can get ahold of some prima cord(det cord) My dad has taken props off 6" shafts by wrapping it around and touching it off, without a puller even! <br />hope you get it<br />dont skimp on the WD-40 :)
 

Bear

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2001
Messages
1,627
Re: Stuck prop

Try AERO KROIL penetrating oil rather than WD-40.<br />Let it sit for a day or two. Add some more now and then.
 

radsrh

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
250
Re: Stuck prop

Craig; prima cord to remove a prop, what do you go fishing with a 1/4 stick or 1/2 stick? :eek:
 

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Stuck prop

Bear's got the hot ticket using the Kroil. Ya can't get the stuff in stores, you've got to order it from:<br />Kano Laboratories<br />Fone=615/833-4101<br />Fax=615/833-5790<br />In addition to being the best dang penetrating oil there is, it's excelent bore solvent.<br />I think I'll post a seperate thread with Kano's fone nr.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty
 

kend20gw

Seaman
Joined
Sep 3, 2002
Messages
63
Re: Stuck prop

Tim,I had a hard time removing my prop as well. after reading several post regarding this from a search, I first tried wd40. Then after trying to figure out if I could use a makeshift puller, I just said let me try the torch. Being careful as posts warned about burning out hub (didn't want to use that method) I used a mapp gas torch. Just gently circled the hub/shaft.(wishing I knew which of the two metals would expand first, the steel shaft or the alum prop) I tapped, i repeat tapped on flat of hub alternating pulling with my hands (gloves of course)It worked.Came off pretty fast and it wasn't that much heat.Don't hold heat up to it like you want to cut something.Just gradually work flame in circle over complete circumference.Let all of metal conduct the heat thoroughly.It should come of unless your really frozen. Good luck. Of course I could have just gotten lucky.
 

Jack Shellac

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Messages
1,661
Re: Stuck prop

There you go. Kend20gw has the ticket. Same process I suggested. When the shaft expands due to heat, you're actually crushing the crystalline structure of the corrosion a little and when the shaft cools and shrinks, you have a little space for the oil to penetrate. You don't have anything to lose, if you try it carefully.
 

SlowlySinking

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
897
Re: Stuck prop

Hi kend20gw, interesting problem, I assume the anti-seeze spark plug thread stuff would reduce this problem. To answer your question about heat expansion. Aluminum has a heat conductivity 4 times that of iron or steel, the thermal expansion of aluminum is twice that of steel, so, if you could heat both materials with the same amount of heat the aluminum would absorb the heat 4 times faster and expand 2 times as fast as the steel. Enough of the physics, basically the aluminum prop would expand and loosen on the steel shaft and with some gentle hammering or pulling come off. Perhaps you should evenly heat the aluminum prop only, no need to expand the steel shaft, this should loosen the prop faster and reduce the possibility of ruining the rubber parts, maybe, maybe not. Since you have to remove the prop you have little to lose, Good luck.
 

cpasseno03

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 14, 2002
Messages
246
Re: Stuck prop

I dont fish with explosives, but they sure are fun! seriously though...prima cord works, its a great way to take something off that requires a nice HARD even impact. In case you didnt read the other article that juicy stuff (kroil) is evidentally the same as PB blaster which can be found at many stores. PB is real great stuff, my favorite feature is the extraordinary amount of accuracy...you can hit a 1/2" bolt from 8 feet away! :p
 

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Stuck prop

Without splatter? That's good shootin' Craig.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty
 

dbutler

Recruit
Joined
Dec 15, 2002
Messages
5
Re: Stuck prop

I had the same problem with a 90 hp Merc. Tried heating, Welded up a puller - neither worked. You need to be careful heating aluminum, it starts to anneal at a low temp. Since I had a chip in mine anyway, I ended up with a chisel and a new prop.
 
Top