Prop shaft

[MattK1969]

Hi. I have undone the prop shaft at the gear box. (Vetus block type connection) Want to pull the shaft out of the back of the boat to replace the lip seal. Prop shaft not keen to come out. Brute force needed? Cutlass bearing tight?

Crane on way to lift in! No pressure!!

 

[Blue Seas]

Try to squirt a mixture of water and washing up liquid into both the shaft seal opening and also the cutlass - get the prop going round and round freely before then bring to 'unscrew' rather than 'pull'.

 

[MattK1969]

It's going round fine. I think there's some corrosion on the shaft.

 

[Plum]

Hi. I have undone the prop shaft at the gear box. (Vetus block type connection) Want to pull the shaft out of the back of the boat to replace the lip seal. Prop shaft not keen to come out. Brute force needed? Cutlass bearing tight?

Crane on way to lift in! No pressure!!

A picture would help but if the part of the coupling that is stuck in the shaft is the type that is split and relies on being clamped tight to the shaft, with clamp bolts removed tap a screwdriver into the split to expand it just a little. Also, is there a cross screw or grub screw into the shaft?

 

[Sailing steve]

Stick the engine in gear to lock the coupling, lubricate the coupling block with WD40 and turn and pull the prop at the same time. Tapping (lightly) the coupling block with a hammer might help break the prop free.

And try wot Plum just said to open up the coupling split too.

 

[MattK1969]

It's spinning nice and loose in the coupling. I think that there is corrosion jamming in the cutlass bearing maybe. Just concerned about how hard I can hit it to get it out!

 

[MattK1969]

It's out. Just had to hit it with a large scaffold pole!

 

[footsoldier]

Well done. Everything responds to some brute force in the end.