Removing a propellor

[Valiant18]

I've got an hour in slings tomorrow to remove my prop (on a long keel boat, 1" diam shaft) then fit a new one of same size.

Never done it before, I imagine it is just one bolt with a split pin through it. Unfortuneatly, what I imagine, and what in fact is, are normally two different things.

Can anyone let me have the usual procedure/order of things for doing this job (assuming its fitted in a 'standard' way).

Thanks!

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[JerryHawkins]

An hour is probably cutting it fine!

Took me several hours when I did mine. Depends on how its fixed and how long its been on. Mine is on a keyed taper shaft with just a large nut on the end of the shaft (inside the hub). I bought different types of puller, bearing splitter and large slide hammer and using these and the heat from a blow torch it eventually came off.

Unless you have all this type of kit then I suggest you enlist the help of a local mechanic (don't need a "marine" engineer) or be prepared to get the boat moved to a cradle for a day or so (at enormous expense no doubt).

Cheers, Jerry

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[bedouin]

I would recommend taking either

(a) A three-leg puller

or

(b) a selection of hammers of increaing size.

The usual way of attachment is for the prop to be pushed onto the shaft with a key to stop it rotating on the shaft. The prop is held on with a crown nut that has a split pin through a hole in the shaft to stop it coming undone.

In my experience the problem comes with getting the prop off the shaft once the crown nut has been removed. I think a search of the archives (going back several months) will reveal a couple of threads on this topic. That is where the 3 leg puller, or hammers, may help.


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[SlowlyButSurely]

In my experience they either come off easily in seconds or else it takes hours of pulling/hammering/heating etc.

If the old prop is stubborn and you don't need to keep it, I have found an angle grinder does the job in a few minutes quite easily. Be careful not to damage the shaft though.

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[steve28]

Where are you located, i have a propeller puller (off in less than 2 mins )



steve

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[Benbow]

If its a two bladed prop, then a 3 leg puller will not get a grip and will ping off when under load. If its 3-bladed should work OK.

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[Valiant18]

This will be in Lymington, tomorow sadly (see you are in Falmouth) - thanks though.

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[Valiant18]

I've got a 2 legged puller, so hopefully that would provide enough purchase. Its only been on (new shaft, new prop - wrong size) for a few months.

Many thanks for the replies - it helps a lot.

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[SlowlyButSurely]

You'll find the job much much easier with a propeller puller but if you can't get hold of one you can get a better purchase by putting a lashing round the legs of the two leg puller and tightening it up with a spanish windlass.

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[WayneS]

take a blow torch with u and heat up the hub. Should make the removal a lot easier

Wayne

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[willothewisp]

don't forget to jam the propeller with a
stout piece of wood, before you start hammering away.

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[dickh]

Did it get fitted with grease between the shaft & prop? If it did then it should come off easy use your 2 legged puller, but have a large 'G' cramp handy incase you have to clmap the two legs together to hold on the prop. The hold a large club hammer on onbe side of the prop and belt the other side with the othe large hammer - repeat if necessary - only unscrew the nut a couple of turns. Refit with grease.
PS watch out for the Key! - keep it at the top if possible the it shouldn't fall out and disappear!

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I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[celandine]

2 0r 3 leg puller

Your 2 leg puller will not go on if it is a 3 bladed prop. You need three legs for a 3 bladed. I find the best plan A. approach to be this: remove pin/nut; crank up puller to a reasonable max; if it does not come off, hit propellor boss with heavy hammer ( a light one will only succeed in annoying it) ; if it still has not come loose, heat boss with blow torch and hit boss again - I have seen them literally leap off the shaft at this point as the tension is released , However you need a lot of heat applied quickly, a DIY paint stripping blow torch may not be up to it if the prop is of any size.

Plan B. Repeat the above with extra grunting and swearing. Good luck.

Mick


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[graham]

A method I have used succesfully a number of times uses two equal sized hammers.

DONT TRY TO HAMMER THE PROP OFF by hitting the back of the prop ,this can cause damage to the prop or even the gearbox.instead tap both hammers at the same time on the hub of the prop aiming in towards the center of the drive shaft.

The shock waves coming from both sides meet in the middle and will cause the prop to move backwards along the taper until loose.

If you keep the hammers flat to the surface no damage will occur.I have used this method after seeing people struggle and give up using pullers etc.

If you can get one try the puller first but my method will almost certainly work.Important thing is to hit both sides at precisely the same instant with equal weight hammers aimed in at 90° to the line of the shaft.

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