Removing prop from bow thruster

[Sine Wave]

I want to remove the gear leg from my R-27 Bow Thruster. It does not turn without some binding and I suspect problems in the gear head. It appears that in order to remove the gearleg (head ?) you must first remove the prop to make room for the extraction. I believe the existing binding caused a shear pin to fail.
I have tried everything to remove the prop and it will not come off of the spine shaft that it is mounted on. The 8 mm locknut has been removed and I can see a stainless steel washer behind it which is almost impossible to remove because it is not magnetic.
I have called Imtra and they insist that the prop should come off after removing the 8 mm lock-nut. Can anyone give me a clew as to how to remove the prop from its shaft? I don't want to destroy the prop in order to provide the needed room for the gear leg to be removed.

Sine Wave
Wayne Cameron
716-308-5970

 

[Brian B]

This is a tip I got from an Imtra rep a few years ago. You need to tap the prop hub from the opposite side with a piece of wood. Get a long enough piece of wood about 1”x1” so you can tap it with a hammer from the opposite side. Tap gently and work around the hub, it should pop off. Grease the shaft before re-installing the hub and it will be easier to remove next time. I’ve done this a few times before applying antifouling paint.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I’ve had good luck spraying some WD40 or similar product in and around the prop shaft hole area, from both sides. Let it sit 24 hours. After that try and pull off. If it still will not budge go to the opposite side of the thruster housing and with a small block of wood or small flat object lightly tap the prop at various spots and it should come loose. As a side note, it you have a broken shear pin this should be able to be serviced from the inside of the boat.

Jim F

 

[captstu]

The Sidepower thruster drive leg on my R25 removes as an assembly from inside after removing the motor. If it is binding, as mine did, the leg assembly and prop are replaced as a single part. The prop need not come off.

 

[Sine Wave]

Thanks for the replies. I still have some questions and comments. Are you sure the gear leg can be removed from "Inside" the boat? It appears to me that it must be removed through the Tube and to do so the prop must be removed to provide adequate clearance. The replacement of the shear pin was no problem. Have done it before. I just mentioned it to show how much binding I had in the gear leg....Enough to break the pin.

I had already tried using a piece of 1-1/2 x 1-1/2" wood to tap on the back side of the prop. It did not budge. I then soaked it with WD-40 several days ago. I will try that again. Any other ideas will be greatly appreciated. Again thanks...

Sine Wave
Wayne Cameron
716-308-5970

 

[BB marine]

Wayne, the first time I removed the prop it was very difficult. I purchased a 3' long 1/2 " oak dowel rod and used that for my driver. I actually cut 1' off and that is my lock between the prop blade and the gear housing to loosen the nut washer assembly. I then go to the back side of the prop with the 2' long dowel rod and tap the back side of the prop hub just catching the edge, I rotate to the next blade and tap back edge never taping on the blades . After going around the hub a couple times I tab the front side of the prop to actually drive it back on . I repeated this several times being careful to not damage the prop. It finally starts to move ,spray lubricant in-between the housing and the prop work it back and forth and it comes off. After removal I applied Quicksilver 101 grease to the shaft and slide the prop on and off a few times to insure good application of grease. Removing the prop is a yearly procedure along with full inspection of the housing to make sure there is no corrosion or damage to the housing

 

[Brian B]

I assisted in removing a gear leg from a R27. Remove the motor to gain access to the two bolts that hold the gear leg. The gear leg is removed through the tunnel. Make sure you use a sealant on the new gear leg, I believe we used Life Calk.

 

[captstu]

Brian and had the same removal experience. The leg was only slightly more than the prop. The leg came with the prop and zinc installed.

Side power told mr not to caulk the supplied gasket. Just a light lube. I used lithium grease. No leak so far.




Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796