removal of prop shaft on NC43

[39Schuss]

I am trying to replace the cutlass bearing on my NC43 and may need to remove the shaft from the P bracket. I understand that the flexible joint on the inboard end is fitted with a nut and taper similar to the propeller. Does anyone have a method of removing this coupling as I don’t believe I will have a puller suitable for the diameter of gh4 coupling.

[Piers Covill]

Hi Trevor

Whats the name of your boat and where do you keep her? Would be great to meet up.

I have an NC 43 and have taken the shaft out. On mine, there is a 32mm nut on a thread on the tapered shaft inside the coupling. Once disconnected from the gearbox, I have to slide the shaft as far back as possible, and then remove the nut and then fit on a puller to pull the clamp off the taper. The prop has to be removed. Whether the shaft will slide past your rudder is marginal. With mine, I had to loosen the P bracket to get enough clearance and even then it required a couple of strong people to pull the shaft sideways to slide past the rudder.
There are two cutlass bearings: one in in the P bracket and one in the stern tube. The stern tube one was hard to remove and I got a piece of tube and hammered it out from the inside but it was hard work..

As to the puller – I bought one from ebay which fitted OK and wasn’t too expensive, but the issue is the clearance between the gearbox and how far back you can slide the shaft backwards, but it is doable. I do have pullers – I am in Andover and boat in Portsmouth

Good luck and give me a shout with any questions.

Best wishes
Piers

• This reply was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by Piers Covill.

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