Mercruiser Alpha One Spun Prop? Can't get it off. Help please

[Clothman]

Was on a ride on the 4th of July, must have hit a shallow spot and bottomed out. After putting it in neutral and back in forward, prop would spin, but wouldn't go anywhere. Increased throttle and no increase in prop turn. Got a tow back in. After getting the boat on the lift, the prop turned freely. I then tried to remove the prop. Problem is that with the prop held in place with a piece of wood against the anti-cavitation plate, turning the nut to the left also turns the prop shaft, so I wasn't able to get the nut off.

Any suggestions or recommendations? Let me know if I can provide any other useful info. Thanks.

Chris

 

[steelespike]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Spun Prop? Can't get it off. Help please

If the prop is that loose on the hub you may be able to pull it it off over the nut and washer leaving the hub in place.assuming the nut and washer are smaller than the outside of the hub.Probably need a puller.Once you have the prop off you probably can carefully cut the nut off.

 

[Clothman]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Spun Prop? Can't get it off. Help please

If the prop is that loose on the hub you may be able to pull it it off over the nut and washer leaving the hub in place.assuming the nut and washer are smaller than the outside of the hub.Probably need a puller.Once you have the prop off you probably can carefully cut the nut off.

Thanks. I don't think I can pull it off over the nut. Any recommendations for a prop puller? Also, if the prop doesn't come off over the nut, the puller isn't going to help, correct? If that is the case, what do I need to do?

Is it normal for both the shaft and prop to spin freely? What damage did I cause? What needs replacement? What else do I need to be concerned about that got damaged?

Thanks.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Spun Prop? Can't get it off. Help please

With the shifter in gear the prop shaft should only spin one direction. I forget which way locks it for taking off the prop. If it spins freely both directions with it in gear you have broken something else also.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Spun Prop? Can't get it off. Help please

Did you bend the three small locking tabs up out of the groves in the outer washer? The outer washer is splined to the prop shaft. If you hold that with a large pliers(to keep the shaft from turning) you should be able to loosen the nut.

Put the shift lever in forward and the prop shaft should not turn backwards(the direction to loosen the prop nut).

 

[Clothman]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Spun Prop? Can't get it off. Help please

Did you bend the three small locking tabs up out of the groves in the outer washer? The outer washer is splined to the prop shaft. If you hold that with a large pliers(to keep the shaft from turning) you should be able to loosen the nut.

Put the shift lever in forward and the prop shaft should not turn backwards(the direction to loosen the prop nut).

Thanks. Didn't know I should have it in gear. I will try that along with holding the washer.

Assuming I can get the prop off now, other than getting a new one (do I need a new prop or just a new hub?), is there anything else I should check to make sure nothing else was damaged.

On a side note, the lower part of the stern drive broke off when I bottomed out. I can post a picture, but what do I need to do about this?

Thanks again.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Spun Prop? Can't get it off. Help please

The skeg can be welded back on at a shop that can do aluminum welding. Not a big deal as it is not really necessary but does sometimes protect the prop. You don't need the missing piece they will make a new one.

 

[Clothman]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Spun Prop? Can't get it off. Help please

After putting it in gear, easily able to get prop off. Hub torn apart. Can hub be replaced or does the entire prop need replacement?

Thanks.