How to remove a stuck prop?

[memo]

Hi,
I'm trying to service my dad's 9.9 4T mercury after the last capsizing event but the prop is not helping me. It seems like it is stuck on the shaft and is not moving a bit. Can you give me any ideas or tips before I start using some brute force?

thanks,
Memo

[chewy]

Loads of WD40 or similar and gently tap with a soft hammer. Heat might not help if your prop has a rubber bush fitted.

[Nasher]

If you have time and the WD40 doesn't help, stand it in a bucket of deisel for a week or so.

Nasher.

[jwalker]

Try the penetrating oil approach but since it's a small motor and easily handled, place the lower unit between blocks of wood so that the prop is resting on them. You can then tap the propshaft out of the prop. Leave the nut on the thread to protect it and maybe use a softer material to hammer against the shaft. This prevents the bearings in the lower unit taking the full whack when driving the prop off by directly hammering it.

[jyasaki]

Try heating the prop hub with a heatgun. Should expand the material (probably aluminum) and help break any corrosion/salt bonds that have formed. Be careful not to apply so much heat as to damage the shaft seals, though. Gentle heating to a moderate temp should do it.

A little late, but this is a good argument for yearly removal/inspection/greasing.

Good luck;

jky

[mdt]

WD40 and then

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...tomotive-tools

Sorted.

[jwalker]

Only if you've got a space between the prop and the gear case big enough to get the feet clipped into.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Only if you've got a space between the prop and the gear case big enough to get the feet clipped into.

Yeah .. I bought 3 sizes of those pullers about 5 years ago and I'll be lucky if they've covered more than 2 pulling jobs that had to be sorted some other way.. they look a good idea, and I'm sure if you have a job where they work well, they are the business .. but they seem like one of those tools that solve everything but in practice .. dont ..principally cos they wont grip anything

[memo]

Thank you for the great feedbacks!

I have to teach my old man about periodic maintanence

[Nos4r2]

Stick the bottom end in a bucket of very hot water with a good splash of vinegar in it (this will help dissolve some of the salt deposits). You MAY want toremove the upper gearbox oil screw for this to prevent the seals bursting under pressure(and make sure it doesn't go in so far it gets water in the box!). While it's still hot put the screw back in then do what Nasher says with the diesel-as it cools it'll suck the diesel into the joint. Leave it few days then follow it up with what Jwalker said.

Don't mess around heating the propshaft on a small engine unless you're prepared to strip the gearbox and put new seals in.