Prop question

[jhiestand]

I was unfortunate enough to run over a monster chunk o' rebar that apparently dislodged from the bottom of our local water and it did some minor damage gelcoat and prop damage. Since I don't have a prop puller I was waiting to borrow one from a buddy, when I noticed that the prop seemed a little loose on the driveshaft. I removed the cotter pin and nut and lo & behold, the prop pretty much just fell off.

So my question is, isn't that kind of unusual and could it mean there is a problem? The shaft is keyed and the "key" seems intact, but since I've been lucky enough to not have to deal with prop issues up to this point I don't know exactly how it's supposed to go together. I've just read a ton of info about how difficult props are to get off, so I'm a little worried mine just slid off. Is there a chance some other damage occurred I should have checked?

Anyone? Thanks in advance.

[DanielC]

RE: Prop question

Sometimes it is possible for the prop not to be completely on the shaft, and normal driving will work it loose. By the way, if the prop is really stuck, soak a rag with water, wrap it around the strut shaft just ahead of the prop, and while the prop puller is putting tension on the prop, heat the prop hub with a torch.

[Andrew]

RE: Prop question

assuming that the rock knocked the prop loose and u didn't drive very fast back to the dock, then its not very surprising that it was still loose. now, if u spent a couple more hours on the lake and had some hard launches, i'd be suspicious of a warped "hub cylinder?" whatever u call the hole that goes through the center of the shaft

[Andrew]

RE: Prop question

oops
change that last "shaft" to PROP