Need help removing factory prop...

[OldeBoy]

One thing that made all the difference for me:
I used a rubber mallet 180 degrees from the prop puller on the backside of the prop hub. For example, I had the prop puller tightened up at the 3 oclock position and hit it hard with the mallet on the back side of the hub at 9 oclock.
It popped right off. I think the prop puller had put the prop in a bind on the shaft.
I had hit it much harder in other locations with no effect.
Good luck.

I was using the OJ prop puller because that's what they had at Bart's Watersports (in town)

[IDBoating]

This is exactly why I use the harmonic puller.

I'm using Acme's own C-clamp puller from their Weekend Saver kit. It works for other people, so I presume I will get it to work for me.

[IDBoating]

I think the prop puller had put the prop in a bind on the shaft.

That is a VERY good idea. I was wondering about that side loading, but didn't consider it might cause a bind. Very good suggestion - thanks!

I didn't get a chance to work on the prop today. Soon....

[kasey200]

i've pulled them with a 2-jaw gear puller in the past too. I was able to put a 1/2" impact wrench on the puller and popped it right off.

[chpthril]

Are ya wacking the puller? If I remember the instructions correctly: Snug puller with wrench, wack the head of the puller, resnug, repeat.

[Fiveflat]

And like skip said. Put your purse down and whack it!

[chpthril]

And like skip said. Put your purse down and whack it!

Or get the wife to take care of it

[skippabcool]

And like skip said. Put your purse down and whack it!

It was a good quote but I can't take credit for it. We have to thank lohe for that good advice.

[Fiveflat]

Sorry Lohe! You rock!

[IDBoating]

Or get the wife to take care of it

I was waiting for someone to say that. In fairness, she's pretty resourceful as I've noted in the past!

[IDBoating]

Are ya wacking the puller? If I remember the instructions correctly: Snug puller with wrench, wack the head of the puller, resnug, repeat.

Precisely what I've been doing. Tighten, whack the bolt head, repeat. It does not "resnug" (i.e. loosen from the whacking). There is no movement of the prop, the bolt just gets tighter. I've got a 15 inch wrench on the bolt head and have tightened it to the point that I cannot tighten it further without "doing something drastic". There's a LOT of force on that prop trying to pull it off.

With it that tight, I've pounded on the puller bolt head... pounded on the prop hub... used a hammer on the bolt head to ring it like a harmonic puller... nothing moves.

As noted, my next step will be to whack the leading edge of the hub while it's under tension. I haven't tried that, but at least it would be applying force in the correct direction.

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate the ideas.

[ajholt7]

Heat Heat Heat

[Fiveflat]

take a picture... There's something wrong going on.

[IDBoating]

Just called Acme. They see this when the castle nut has been installed with too much force (they recommend 30 ft-lbs). I told them the castle nut backed off without undue effort but they claim that's always true, even when it's been radically overtightened.

They recommend rotating the C-clamp from position to position, between each of the blades. Next step in aggression is to tap the bow-end of the C-clamp with a hammer with the bolt tight so the force goes in the correct direction. Combine the steps and repeat, repeat, repeat. This often releases overtightened props.

Their LAST resort is a torch. They were careful to repeatedly remind me to wrap a soaking wet towel around the prop shaft and the strut to minimize heat getting to the strut bearing.

I have to help a friend pull a boat from storage this afternoon, but hopefully I'll have time afterwards to give this another shot.

[IDBoating]

take a picture... There's something wrong going on.

If Acme's suggestions don't work, I'll do that. Though I'm not sure what the photos will reveal, it looks exactly like an inboard prop arrangement. I'll take a photo with and without the C-clamp installed, in case I'm using the tool improperly or something.