prop shaft assy

[pmcandrew]

I removed the coupling flange from the prop shaft on my boat using a three jaw puller. It is a keyed shaft with set screws, but was a press fit onto the shaft. Does anyone have a good method for re-installing the flange onto the shaft? I removed it to install a dripless packing.
Thanks,
Patrick

[Denr]

It was most likely not a press fit, rather than a bit of corrosion between the steel/iron flange and the bronze shaft. Suggest that you clean up the shaft with some emery cloth and use a little lubricant to reinstall the shaft into the coupling. A light tape is all that will be required as this is, and should be a close fit. Check the key for any steps that might be in it and replace it if any are found. You''ll like the dripless packing, I did this several years ago as one of the first upgrades to the boat I currently own, Packing flax, bronze nuts and drip-drip-drip are nonsense!