Broken Acme prop Puller

[hopps1945]

So while attempting to take the prop off of our 2000 2300V tonight, I managed to strip the threads off of the prop puller. That dang prop will not budge!!!

So what to do next? I don't really want to spend another $80+ on a prop puller to just strip it again. I do not believe the prop has ever been pulled in the boats lifetime. As for as I can tell in all the paperwork, this is the original.

Thoughts, opinions on getting this thing off?

Thanks,

[talltigeguy]

1. The prop puller is a little bit of a misnomer. You tighten the C clamp a little tight, but don't kill it. The hammer on the C-clamp is what breaks the prop free. I put a bend in a C-clamp before I realized the hammer is what does the job. The fact that you have stripped the threads tells me that you tightened it too much.

2. You can take a torch to it. The prop and shaft expand differently in response to heat. Then bang on the C-clamp with a hammer while it is hot. Gelcoat is not very tolerant of the blow torch, so be careful.

[NICKYPOO]

Well, you can heat the hub of the prop with a butane torch. I had to do that with my original prop. I almost gave up and took it to the dealership. I tried everything and in the end, the Acme puller with a bunch of heat (more than I expected) and big hammer is what finally made it pop off. I now switch props when I go to lower altitudes and I almost don't even need a puller. I only keep it around "just in case". My Acme's glide on and off like silk stockings.

I'm sure some good ideas will be posted shortly but, this is what worked for me. Hang tough dude, you'll get it.

[hallazz]

Heat is key!

[hopps1945]

I know heat is good thing, but I don't trust myself that close to the fiberglass/gelcoat. Being that this is a bronze prop, any issues with heating this up? I have been beating on this thing off and on for awhile before I went 'too far' with the puller..... she just doesn't want to budge.

I think I'll just spend the few extra bucks and let the shop take it off.

[NICKYPOO]

That prop is now wall art for your garage.

[hopps1945]

That prop is now wall art for your garage.

I bet it is! Things have changed a lot I bet in the last 13 years of it's life.

[IDBoating]

I had the same problem with my factory installed prop. Instead of the recommended 35 ft-lbs of torque, the guy installing it must have arms like a gorilla! No way did I want to get a torch anywhere near my gelcoat.

After many attempts, I called Acme. Their advice: Install the puller between one set of blades, do the hammer/tighten thing a little bit (hammer only on the puller, never the prop itself), then remove and reinstall between the next set of blades. Keep going around the prop like this until you've lightly tapped in all gaps between blades.

It worked PERFECTLY. I tapped rather gently in each quadrant, and when I did so in the last quadrant the prop popped right off. Remarkable!

Now, I put a little layer of marine grease on the propshaft before installation, and I tighten according to spec to 35 ft-lbs. No problems since.

Acme to the rescue again. Those guys really know their stuff.

[NICKYPOO]

I had the same problem with my factory installed prop. Instead of the recommended 35 ft-lbs of torque, the guy installing it must have arms like a gorilla! No way did I want to get a torch anywhere near my gelcoat.

After many attempts, I called Acme. Their advice: Install the puller between one set of blades, do the hammer/tighten thing a little bit (hammer only on the puller, never the prop itself), then remove and reinstall between the next set of blades. Keep going around the prop like this until you've lightly tapped in all gaps between blades.

It worked PERFECTLY. I tapped rather gently in each quadrant, and when I did so in the last quadrant the prop popped right off. Remarkable!

Now, I put a little layer of marine grease on the propshaft before installation, and I tighten according to spec to 35 ft-lbs. No problems since.

Acme to the rescue again. Those guys really know their stuff.

on all fronts. Great post.

[chpthril]

Lubricating the threads of the puller with some anti-seize will prevent the damaged threads.

[Wickedcummins]

yes you need to be tension on puller then hammer will release

[hopps1945]

I had the same problem with my factory installed prop. Instead of the recommended 35 ft-lbs of torque, the guy installing it must have arms like a gorilla! No way did I want to get a torch anywhere near my gelcoat.

After many attempts, I called Acme. Their advice: Install the puller between one set of blades, do the hammer/tighten thing a little bit (hammer only on the puller, never the prop itself), then remove and reinstall between the next set of blades. Keep going around the prop like this until you've lightly tapped in all gaps between blades.

It worked PERFECTLY. I tapped rather gently in each quadrant, and when I did so in the last quadrant the prop popped right off. Remarkable!

Now, I put a little layer of marine grease on the propshaft before installation, and I tighten according to spec to 35 ft-lbs. No problems since.

Acme to the rescue again. Those guys really know their stuff.

So back at it tonight and after making probably 5 full rotations of the prop, doing this above, it finally broke loose!! SUCCESS!! Got so tired of tightening down the puller, smacking it, then repeating I don't know how many times. But it finally gave way. Thanks everyone for the info! I love this forum. Everyone is so helpful.

[IDBoating]

Congrats! Glad it worked! Don't forget a touch of marine grease when reinstalling, and only torque to 35 ft-lbs. You really don't need to crush it, though some seem to think they do.

[talltigeguy]

Congrats! Glad it worked! Don't forget a touch of marine grease when reinstalling, and only torque to 35 ft-lbs. You really don't need to crush it, though some seem to think they do.

I got a little bit of crap on another forum for recommending this. Idiots. Put the grease on so that you or the next guy in 3 years doesn't have the same problem. He thought that since it didn't say it in the instructions from acme, then it wasn't a good idea. It is a good idea, and will make your next prop change a much more friendly experience.

[NICKYPOO]

WooHoo! Congrats. I hope you had a cold beer (or whatever) afterwards. You earned it.