PROP REMOVAL & PULLER

[Shooter]

I'm tring to remove the prop from my 03 210 and it wont budge. Any suggestion on how to do this without a puller? Any recommendations on a cheap puller kit? Should I go with a c-clamp or a harmonic type?

[DanielC]

My experience is the "C" clamp types work a lot better.

[Mikeski]

Buy a puller, I have 2. Both are the C clamp style, have not used the harmonic type but have heard mixed reviews. If you want my old puller, it's your's for $50 shipped. My new puller is a Nettle Prop puller, looks good but have not used it yet. The old one has probably pulled 25 props and can probably pull 100 more.

[Shooter]

I have not removed the prop from this boat before. This may be a dumb question, but do I only need to remove the cotter pin and nut? It looks like there is a small piece wedged in a groove between the prop and the shaft. Does this need to come out before the prop is removed?

I will probably be intersted in your clamp Daniel. I will PM you.

[DanielC]

Don't PM me, PM Mikeski. I have only one puller, and I want to keep it.
If you live in Portland, Or. and you want to use mine, you can bring your boat to my place and I will pull the prop for you.

Be careful, the edges on a new Acme propeller are sharp.

To pull the propeller:
Remove the cotter pin.
Loosen the nut, do not take it all the way off.
Turn the propeller shaft so the keyway is on top.
Put the puller on the prop, and remove the propeller.
Remove the nut, and then the propeller, and then the key.

Daniel

[airhuck]

on my '01 SAN they had to heat the prop to get it off. i couldnt get it to budge with a puller. but, teh marina put some heat on it and it popped right off.

[Shooter]

thanks and I meant to say I would pm Mikeski.

[CradGen2]

Shooter,

I have heard of people using a 2x4 and a hammer to get them off. I watched a guy do this on the ramp one day. He got it to work after 30 minutes. I have also heard of people back the nut off, putting the boat back in the water on the trailer and putting in reverse to push the prop off. If the nut comes off you risk losing the prop too.

Personally I haven't or wouldn't do either, but you asked for other options.

I think I paid 60 for my prop puller and have pulled 100 propers, mine and friends. They last a life time, so if Mike will sell you his for 50.00 I'd get it. It will last way longer then a 100 pulls.

[SkiTower]

You will never regret that money spent. You may regret NOT spending it, though. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[steve-o]

Hammer and an old prop nut work fine.

[behindpropellers]

Re: PROP REMOVAL & PULLER

. Any suggestion on how to do this without a puller?

Heat up the prop with a propane torch. Place some ice or dry ice on the shaft above the prop. Light taps with a brass mallet will make it fall off. I suggest threading the nut on the end so your prop does not hit the ground when it falls off.

Tim

[8122pbrainard]

Shooter,

I have heard of people using a 2x4 and a hammer to get them off. I watched a guy do this on the ramp one day. He got it to work after 30 minutes. I have also heard of people back the nut off, putting the boat back in the water on the trailer and putting in reverse to push the prop off.

The only way these methods will work is if the prop was never installed properly. A proper fit with a lapped taper doesn't even need the nut to keep the prop on.

Get a puller or try the heat/cold method.

[AirTool]

Try to avoid heat. Fiberglass boats burn quickly....especially when they're not in the water. Waving a torch around under there is an accident waiting to happen.

Follow DanielC's instructions and add:

1. Wear some leather gloves
2. After the puller is on, carefully smack the puller stud with a steel hammer. Start soft and work your way up. (no jokes please) Usually the vibration will break it loose.
3. If that doesn't work, take a hard RUBBER hammer and smack the back of each blade one at a time while you rotate the prop: smack;rotate;smack;rotate.
Go back to step 2.

My 206's prop was on like a bear and that is what it took to get it off.

[Mikeski]

I have used lots of techniques to remove props over the years, some work well, others not so well.

A combination of tension the C clamp style puller along with some harmonic vibration is the method I use these days. Did it without a puller for years, with those heavy old OJ's you could beat on the blades and they didn't bend. Breath too hard on an Acme and the blade folds.

1. Pull the pin
2. Loosen the nut, leaving it on
3. Install the puller with a decent amount of tension
4. Tap on the puller tension bolt until the prop lets go (this is what moves the prop, not the tension of the puller)
5. As a last resort I would heat the prop hub,the trick is getting the prop hub hot without heating the shaft, do it quickly.


PM sent

[behindpropellers]

Try to avoid heat. Fiberglass boats burn quickly....especially when they're not in the water. Waving a torch around under there is an accident waiting to happen.

Not true. You just need to use some good judgement. You can use your brain or you can use a hammer.