Seized on prop. Any ideas?

sparkie

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Hi all, due to operator error the prop on my little Yamaha 2hp was replaced without the shaft being greased, and it has now completely seized/corroded onto the shaft. I've tried penetrating oil, some mild brutality, and speaking nicely to it but all to no avail. Reluctant to use a lot of heat because of the rubber seals in the gearbox and the paint, which is still good.. Any other suggestions?
 
Hi all, due to operator error the prop on my little Yamaha 2hp was replaced without the shaft being greased, and it has now completely seized/corroded onto the shaft. I've tried penetrating oil, some mild brutality, and speaking nicely to it but all to no avail. Reluctant to use a lot of heat because of the rubber seals in the gearbox and the paint, which is still good.. Any other suggestions?

Try a good stream of boiling water before resorting to force, with a puller if possible. It won't damage the seals but might just be enough especially if you can exert a shock load with a rubber mallet or similar.

Richard
 
Boiling water on the cold prop- mmm, possibility. My gear puller won't fit but might be able to conjure up something. Thanks. Give that some thought. Cheers!
 
I don't have an outboard but I have worked on them, WD40 and don't worry about the rubber seals, they are replacable and probably a good idea to do so anyway, then you'll replace the the gearbox oil too, all good. My advice is just my opinion.

Give a call to Martin, he will steer you right, Stitt Marine - Agents for Mercury, Mercruiser, Tohatsu and Yanmar. 028 9338 2278

He's a knowlegable chap, there's nothing about outboards that he dosen't know.

Skip
 
Tighten a puller onto it and then give it a "sharp tap". If that doesn't work, tighten the puller further and make the tap sharper and harder. Repeat.
 
Forgot to say, one of my friends suggested soaking the whole thing in Coca-Cola overnight. Sounds crazy but I know it cleans copper and the like??
 
Yes good thinking. The only prob with a standard three leg puller is that the prop is not open-ended but has a boss with the pin through it, so nothing to pull against as it were, however I'm sure I can come up with something if I put my mind to it. Got 'til Easter to sort it out.....
 
Forgot to say, one of my friends suggested soaking the whole thing in Coca-Cola overnight. Sounds crazy but I know it cleans copper and the like??
Coca-Cola contains very dilute phosphoric acid, which works both with rust and aluminium oxide. Some say alternate it with vinegar. I once used this successfully to release a key that had corroded into its lock. The liquid from boiled rhubarb leaves (oxalic acid) is another folk remedy. But commercial rust-eaters use a much stronger concentration of acid, so have to be preferable if you want to try this.
 
When I was working on my car many years ago I coulndn't remove a tapered shaft. I tried everything but happened to mention it to my Caterpillar Diesel Fitter Brother-in-Law and he said to use a heavy 3kg hammer as an anvil and give it a hell of a welt with a 3kg hammer on the other side. It worked first time!!

I can only assume the metal gets temporarily deformed and squeezes the tapered shaft out like an orange pip between your fingers.
 
Is there room at the back to get tapered washers on?
tapered washer example
Cut a slot in the thin side & drive 2 or more ( depending on gap) together to expand & push the prop off

If it was my propeller, I would probably get a cold steel chisel or bolster & cut a slot in it with an angle grinder to fit over the shaft & drive that in the back. Provided it was not going to damage the housing behind it, of course.
 
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When I was working on my car many years ago I coulndn't remove a tapered shaft. I tried everything but happened to mention it to my Caterpillar Diesel Fitter Brother-in-Law and he said to use a heavy 3kg hammer as an anvil and give it a hell of a welt with a 3kg hammer on the other side. It worked first time!!

I can only assume the metal gets temporarily deformed and squeezes the tapered shaft out like an orange pip between your fingers.
I watch Wheeler Dealers on Quest TV quite regularly. The mechanical expert fixes up old cars that the other one buys. I have been surprised to see that he always separates steering joints that way. There are many patent tools for doing this job and I own a couple of them, but two hammers works fine every time.
 
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