Hey Guys,
A buddy of mine just bought an older boat and he's got a stuck prop (48-88437-17) on an older (1988) Merc outdrive.

The lock washer, thrust nut and everything else is off and the prop won't budge.

Afraid of telling him to put a torch to it, as might cook some stuff in the lower unit.

Anybody have any advice?

Thanks,
Rick

Stick your you know what in it and try again. Sure to work...
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You can rent a claw puller at most auto zones
Do not heat it! You'll burn up the out drive seals
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penetrating oil, rubber mallet, etc. No Heat. Grease, saltwater, corrosion not a good mix

Spray it down with Corrosion block or PB BLaster, wait a day or two and use a wheel puller. No heal or you'll loose the seals.

None of this worked. We ended up shearing off two 5/16 bolts on the bearing puller and stripping the puller rod.

I think he's going to cut it off.

5 hours down the drain!

Thanks for the suggestions.

Rick

Those old ones were nasty if they were not removed yearly and cleaned and re greased ... Quick silver 24c grease is the best for greasing the splines... once you get the outer prop off, you'll have to cut the rubber off of the aluminum splined insert.. then after the rubber is off, you can heat the aluminum... I've cut them in half length wise with a saws all amd knocked them off with an air chisel.. it works better than heat . it's a b**** of a job ... we used to make pullers from 1/2" threaded rod to grip each blade.. apply presure and beat with a hammer... anything to avoid cutting them off... I did alot of them back in the day.. never fun.. I saw ocasions when we busted the retaining ring inside the lower unit before the prop would come off.. the new modualr inserts are a huge improvement...