help in taking off prop

Wags · 06-27-09, 02:52 PM

I have never taken a prop off a boat before,...looks simple enough with a nut holding it on but there is a 6-pronged gadget snuggled up tightly against the outer edges of the nut appearing to restrict the ability of the nut to turn. Is there any trick to this, I dont want to try too hard to loosen the nut and damage anything. Thanks

nofearengineer · 06-27-09, 05:28 PM

Well, the first thing you should also do when working on the prop of an outboard is to make sure it is in neutral, and there is no electrical power to the motor. Disconnect the battery if you have to. It would really stink if you were to "jump start" the motor by turning the prop. People would be calling you lefty for the rest of your life.

As to the 6-pronged gadget, it's a "locking tab washer". Just take a flat screwdriver and gently bend the tabs back until they no longer keep the nut from turning. When you're done doing whatever it is you're doing to the prop, re-install the locking tab washer by bending down the tabs again.

Wags · 06-28-09, 09:24 AM

doesn't look like bending the prongs would make a difference?? the inner round portion seems to be stopping the nut from turning

nofearengineer · 06-28-09, 11:48 AM

Wags,

The prongs is what keeps the nut from vibrating loose. Without the tabs bent down into the notches in the hub, the nut will turn, and the locking washer will turn along with it.

Wags · 06-28-09, 12:05 PM

the prongs are already went up just a bit, dont appear to be locked into the hub at any point. So by turning the nut, the locking washer should turn with the nut?? I think I see the theory behind the locking washer, but it either wasn't put in place correctly, or has moved. This is a boat that had been sitting idle for a couple of years and the previuos owner was questionable at best in maintenance issues. So I should be ok applying pretty good pressure to loosen the nut thwn and the washer should maybe be prelaced or re-aligned when I put it back together?

Wags · 06-28-09, 12:34 PM

Ok, I'm having a slipping prob with the prop on acceleration....I see a black gasket that is torn and a mess, would that be the problem? Should this whole assembly be cleaned and re-greased or kept dry before re-assembling??

nofearengineer · 06-28-09, 01:02 PM

If the prop is slipping when you try to accelerate, assuming the problem is in the prop and not the drivetrain, there is not enough pressure holding the prop onto the shaft.

It looks like the hub and/or washers could be worn out. Given the picture with the shredded black washer there, I would suggest getting a new washer, and if that doesn't work, then look deeper.

Make sure you tighten it to factory specs. Too loose and parts can spin, generating excessive friction, heat, and damage like that black washer.

Wags · 06-28-09, 01:10 PM

should the spindal and inside of prop be cleaned? should there be clean grease on anything?

nofearengineer · 06-28-09, 01:12 PM

Yeah. For the most part, any time I have a reason to take my prop off, I put a fresh coat of marine grease on the shaft and splines. It's good practice, and inexpensive insurance.

zooker · 06-29-09, 06:05 AM

there should be grease every where on the hub. it should be yellowish.

yep thats a spun hub atight...

either take it to a machine shop and have them press out the hub..and put the new one in.. or you can try to rerove thr old one your self..which will still require the use of a press...

zooker

wibassmaster · 06-29-09, 11:19 AM

I would look and see if there is any fishing line in the prop or on the shaft. I had the same problem and found a bunch of line in there and that solved the problem once I took the line off.

Wags · 06-30-09, 06:04 PM

you're right zook...spun hub...sending it out but will miss out on weekend fishing...grrrr Getting it back Monday

Captmikestarrett · 07-09-09, 11:18 AM

Spun hubs happen for a couple of reasons.

dryrot
running in heavy grass
hitting an object
wrong prop
fishing line in prop
sudden change to saltwater too.

Capt Mike

1FASTLASER · 07-13-09, 06:50 AM

Dang folks look at the prop. He has a spuin prop. The ONLY PLACE grease goes on and it shouldnt be grease it should be Never Seize is on the PROP SHAFT and just a little bit. The only timwe you dont require grease is if using one of the Flo Torque hubs. They are a high grade abs type plastic and grease couold cause the abs to break down and get soft.

nofearengineer · 07-13-09, 08:13 AM

Laser,

I use the 2-4-C marine grease Mercury tells me to put on my prop shaft. Even with the Flo-Torque hub. I'm not a lubricants expert, so I defer to their knowledge.

bassackwards · 07-13-09, 08:17 AM

sudden change to salt water? how does that work capt?

06-27-09, 02:52 PM	#1
Wags BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Swartz Creek, Michigan Posts: 163	help in taking off prop I have never taken a prop off a boat before,...looks simple enough with a nut holding it on but there is a 6-pronged gadget snuggled up tightly against the outer edges of the nut appearing to restrict the ability of the nut to turn. Is there any trick to this, I dont want to try too hard to loosen the nut and damage anything. Thanks

06-27-09, 05:28 PM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Well, the first thing you should also do when working on the prop of an outboard is to make sure it is in neutral, and there is no electrical power to the motor. Disconnect the battery if you have to. It would really stink if you were to "jump start" the motor by turning the prop. People would be calling you lefty for the rest of your life. As to the 6-pronged gadget, it's a "locking tab washer". Just take a flat screwdriver and gently bend the tabs back until they no longer keep the nut from turning. When you're done doing whatever it is you're doing to the prop, re-install the locking tab washer by bending down the tabs again. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

06-28-09, 09:24 AM	#3
Wags BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Swartz Creek, Michigan Posts: 163	this is what the thing looks like... doesn't look like bending the prongs would make a difference?? the inner round portion seems to be stopping the nut from turning Attached Thumbnails

06-28-09, 11:48 AM	#4
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Wags, The prongs is what keeps the nut from vibrating loose. Without the tabs bent down into the notches in the hub, the nut will turn, and the locking washer will turn along with it. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

06-28-09, 12:34 PM	#6
Wags BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Swartz Creek, Michigan Posts: 163	Ok, I'm having a slipping prob with the prop on acceleration....I see a black gasket that is torn and a mess, would that be the problem? Should this whole assembly be cleaned and re-greased or kept dry before re-assembling?? Attached Thumbnails

06-28-09, 12:05 PM	#5
Wags BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Swartz Creek, Michigan Posts: 163	the prongs are already went up just a bit, dont appear to be locked into the hub at any point. So by turning the nut, the locking washer should turn with the nut?? I think I see the theory behind the locking washer, but it either wasn't put in place correctly, or has moved. This is a boat that had been sitting idle for a couple of years and the previuos owner was questionable at best in maintenance issues. So I should be ok applying pretty good pressure to loosen the nut thwn and the washer should maybe be prelaced or re-aligned when I put it back together?

06-28-09, 01:02 PM	#7
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	If the prop is slipping when you try to accelerate, assuming the problem is in the prop and not the drivetrain, there is not enough pressure holding the prop onto the shaft. It looks like the hub and/or washers could be worn out. Given the picture with the shredded black washer there, I would suggest getting a new washer, and if that doesn't work, then look deeper. Make sure you tighten it to factory specs. Too loose and parts can spin, generating excessive friction, heat, and damage like that black washer. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

06-28-09, 01:10 PM	#8
Wags BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Swartz Creek, Michigan Posts: 163	should the spindal and inside of prop be cleaned? should there be clean grease on anything?

06-28-09, 01:12 PM	#9
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Yeah. For the most part, any time I have a reason to take my prop off, I put a fresh coat of marine grease on the shaft and splines. It's good practice, and inexpensive insurance. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

06-29-09, 06:05 AM	#10
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	there should be grease every where on the hub. it should be yellowish. yep thats a spun hub atight... either take it to a machine shop and have them press out the hub..and put the new one in.. or you can try to rerove thr old one your self..which will still require the use of a press... zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

06-29-09, 11:19 AM	#11
wibassmaster BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: janesville WI Posts: 24	I would look and see if there is any fishing line in the prop or on the shaft. I had the same problem and found a bunch of line in there and that solved the problem once I took the line off. __________________ Flip it, crawl it, set it!

06-30-09, 06:04 PM	#12
Wags BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Swartz Creek, Michigan Posts: 163	you're right zook...spun hub...sending it out but will miss out on weekend fishing...grrrr Getting it back Monday

07-09-09, 11:18 AM	#13
Captmikestarrett BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accokeek MD Posts: 3,315	Spun hubs happen for a couple of reasons. dryrot running in heavy grass hitting an object wrong prop fishing line in prop sudden change to saltwater too. Capt Mike __________________ Capt Mike Starrett light tackle guide Potomac River http://www.indianheadcharters.com

07-13-09, 06:50 AM	#14
1FASTLASER BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: crossett,arkansas Posts: 2,777	Dang folks look at the prop. He has a spuin prop. The ONLY PLACE grease goes on and it shouldnt be grease it should be Never Seize is on the PROP SHAFT and just a little bit. The only timwe you dont require grease is if using one of the Flo Torque hubs. They are a high grade abs type plastic and grease couold cause the abs to break down and get soft. __________________ Laser's rule with Merc's doing the pushing..........KEEP THE WETSIDE DOWN AND THE DRY SIDE UP!!!!!!

07-13-09, 08:13 AM	#15
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Laser, I use the 2-4-C marine grease Mercury tells me to put on my prop shaft. Even with the Flo-Torque hub. I'm not a lubricants expert, so I defer to their knowledge. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-13-09, 08:17 AM	#16
bassackwards BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: hampton va Posts: 408	sudden change to salt water? how does that work capt?

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