Prop Shaft Removal From Flexible Coupling

[iamtjc]

My boat is currently on the hard. The surveyor said I should replace the stuffing box hose, but I an stuck on separating the shaft from the flexible coupling.
I've taken out the 6 bolts on the rear face (and the allen screws around the periphery - they just seem to hold the rubber retaining ring).
There are 3 threaded holes covered with plastic caps on the rear face. I wondered if the 3 holes were to screw bolts into to push the fitting apart, but it seems to me they would push it further onto the shaft not off it.

Any ideas of how I get the shaft out?

 

[thalassa]

Yes, that is correct. Can't remember the bolt size, but was metric.

 

[doug748]

I have one of those, yes you put bolts into the holes under the plastic caps and it breaks the hold of the collet gripping the shaft. Use a bit of grease on the threads. It's a Centaflex, I think the threads are maybe 10mm.

PPS.

The 6 bolts have to be torqued to 18lbs ft when you put them back (If they are 8mm which is probably the case......52lbs ft if the larger 12mm)

.

 

[iamtjc]

Thanks so much, really helpful.