I have a mercruiser alpha 1. I would like to remove the prop and lubricate
the shaft, but it won't budge. Any suggestions?

Hi Fred,


A lesson from the school of hard knocks:

Take it to a mercruiser certified shop, who honors their warranties, and
has the right knowhow & equipment to remove it. A broken lower housing,
ot damaged shaft/thrust bearing is VERY EXPENSIVE to replace...

The shop that does my work is:
Westside Marine - Jacksonville Florida
(Les Spicer)
(904)695-2756
sorry no email.

You can ship him your drive and he will repair and return it. If I
remember correctly, an Alpha dismounts with 6 mount bolts and 2 rams.


Capt Frank

Fred wrote:

I have a mercruiser alpha 1. I would like to remove the prop and lubricate
the shaft, but it won't budge. Any suggestions?

Have you tried a gear puller yet? Here's an example of what I'm talking
about:
http://www.mechaps.com/mps/mcf1/bild...LLER%20SET.gif

"Fred" wrote in message
...
I have a mercruiser alpha 1. I would like to remove the prop and
lubricate
the shaft, but it won't budge. Any suggestions?

There are a couple of tricks to try.
1. With the bolt removed, tap the prop shaft with a hammer (not too hard
but enought to shake the prop loose) while pulling on the prop.
2. Use a puller strapped to the back side of the prop and pull it off.
Again, once you get the puller tight you might have to tap it with a hammer
to break it loose.
3. With the puller tight, hit the back edge of the prop blades as close to
the hub as possible with a rubber mallot to break it loose.

--
Tony
my boats and autos - http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com


"Fred" wrote in message
...
I have a mercruiser alpha 1. I would like to remove the prop and
lubricate
the shaft, but it won't budge. Any suggestions?

On Sat, 1 Nov 2003 07:08:27 -0600, "Fred" wrote:

I have a mercruiser alpha 1. I would like to remove the prop and lubricate
the shaft, but it won't budge. Any suggestions?


I have the same outdrive.
If it was me, I would try a product called "PB Blaster". Similar to
WD-40, but better IMO.

Soak the shaft, as much as possible, with the "PB Blaster", and tap on
the prop housing with a rubber mallet. Repeat. Repeat again.

If you use a puller, be careful and go slow. It doesn't take much
force to "yoink" an aluminum prop.

Good luck,
To email me, remove the "OT-" from wrecked.ot-boats.noah.
....as you were. )

Once you do get it removed, put some good marine grease back on the splein
before putting prop back on. I have been doing that for years with my boats
since experiencing the same problem your talking about. Works for me just
fine.






"noah" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 1 Nov 2003 07:08:27 -0600, "Fred" wrote:

I have a mercruiser alpha 1. I would like to remove the prop and
lubricate
the shaft, but it won't budge. Any suggestions?


I have the same outdrive.
If it was me, I would try a product called "PB Blaster". Similar to
WD-40, but better IMO.

Soak the shaft, as much as possible, with the "PB Blaster", and tap on
the prop housing with a rubber mallet. Repeat. Repeat again.

If you use a puller, be careful and go slow. It doesn't take much
force to "yoink" an aluminum prop.

Good luck,
To email me, remove the "OT-" from wrecked.ot-boats.noah.
...as you were. )