Prop Problems

[EllisCM]

Hey All,
Took the boat out of the water with my Dad a few weekends ago to winterize, we were also plannin on pulling the prop to put on one with a better pitch. Well, the cotter pin on the shaft was pretty rusty, and after trying to wrestle it out for an hour or so the end with the loop snapped off. Now all that is left is about 1/2" of "stainless" steel protruding from either side of the nut on the shaft. The nut is sitting inside of the cylinder of the propeller so there is no viable way to get a hammer/punch in there to knock it out. We tried sitting screwdrivers/pliers/everything else on top of it and hitting the base of the tool with a hammer, but it would not budge. Any ideas on how to get that puppy out before we take it to the shop and let them worry about it? (Tried WD40)
Thanks.
-Colin

[mikie]

Is there enough space to get a pair of vicegrips on the broken end? If so, you may be able to pry up on the vice grips with a screwdriver end.

[EllisCM]

We couldn't get ahold of it with pliers, vice grips, etc., it's also difficult to try to loosen the nut because the tool won't fit on with the pieces of the cotter pin sticking out, and its hard to do anything with a wrench at that angle.

[highland61]

Just an idea,

1..Try some heat and use a different lube, like pb blaster; let it soak for a few days with periodic sprays..

2...drill a hole thru the prop, but only if you actually have or find a punch of the correct length and diameter. You didn't mention what material the prop is. Either way, a shop may end up doing this.

3....there are some nut busters on the market, don't know if you have the room to put one on. File down the excess, pull the prop and punch out the pin.

4....If you know someone good with a torch, they could blow the nut off. A little risky though.

I don't know if there is a specialized tool for this situation. Have you talked to a shop to find out what they would do?


USCG Master 100T
A.F. & A.M.

[PREDATOR27]

Take a cut off wheel or grinder on a dremmel tool and cut both ends of the carter key flush. Unscrew the nut, take the prop off and then punch out the remaining key. If you add a lot of heat you could ruin the hub in your prop.

[EllisCM]

Great ideas, I was already thinking about cutting the ends off and punching it out, I think thats the best option, gonna have to buy a dremel. The only problem is that the nut has "cogs" of sorts on it that the cotter pin passes through, which might make it difficult to cut off cleanly. Not real experienced with a torch so I'm iffy about putting a lot of heat on it. Thanks for the posts everybody!
p.s. I should have taken a picture of it, it's a difficult thing to explain.
p.p.s The prop is aluminum

[highland61]

You might also try a small chisel that will fit in the "valley". Get a good flush cut then back the nut off. A dremel with the small diamond bit would work, didn't think of that. A light touch to avoid damaging the threads too much with either method.

For heat: as with any type of heating process, care and patience is the key.

USCG Master 100T
A.F. & A.M.

[Chumlord]

I would not use heat because of the seal in your lower unit... much harder than replacing a hub!!! I would use a Dremel and grind away slowly the remaining ends of the cotter pin until it was flush with the shaft via the slots in the castle nut then remove the nut and prop and then punch the remains of the cotter pin out w/a drift punch. Then I would make a habit of performing more routine maintenance on my motor if a SS cotter pin rusted that bad just think how long it has been since the prop was removed???

[bigmouth]

try a piece of wire coathanger push it thru

[BUDC]

Just maybe a short piece of rod nearly the same size as the cotter pin. (Or an Allen Wrench) Long enough to allow prying against the prop. Just maybe!?!?