orginal owner of 18 hp Vanguard Go Devil, purchased 1994. My attempts to remove prop have so far been unsuccessful, and after talking with Go Devil decided to remove the shaft with the prop attached. Built a hammer style puller out of all thread, but the shaft won't budge from the u joint. Has anyone faced a similar situation, or rented the tools from Go Devil? The u joint is not the split type style. Suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks,
Rod

Im sure you've tried to heat it up with a propane torch if you called GD.

What were you trying to replace to get the prop off? (might be time to rebuild the outdrive)

When i realized my lower seals were starting to go, I coated my prop and threads with PB blaster once a day for 3 days until the seals came in from GD. On the fourth day it came right off. Might be worth a shot on the u-joint.

Follow up: Removed set screws and used the openings to put some Kroil penetrating oil. Three days must be the magic time frame, the shaft came out of the u joint, now prop removal becomes the next obstacle/goal.
When I checked the end play of the shaft while still attached, I could detect some normal play, but nothing close to the 1/8" the factory says indicated time to replace bushings. I do have groves on the lower end of the shaft caused by the three seals, not certain on the parameters for replacing the shaft, will talk to Go Devil. Has anyone upgraded to the upper bearing assembly, mid bushing and Lubricator? I think that I have read the cost of all of the upgrades to run approx. $400, not certain if I want to invest that much into a 20 year old Go Devil. My old (original) prop has lost better than an inch of diameter, but the last time that I used it, I pushed my 16' Express with 3 guys pretty good. My main objective was to replace the seals and prop, all due to wear and excessive grease consumption. I would be interested in hearing from owners that have upgraded old Go Devils.
thanks,
Rod

If you're replacing the prop just replace the shaft too.
I had grooves worn in my last shaft and it wound up breaking. I was lucky to find my prop.
You really should've taken the prop off on the motor while you had a way to stop the shaft from spinning. Easiest way to get the prop off is to split the upper jam nut to relieve the pressure. Drill as big a hole Into the side of it as you can and then split the rest with a chisel. The whole nut/washerset from godevil is like $12. Prop should come off easy after that. I asked them about changing the bearing/bushing system on my old long tail and they said there was no real reason to if what I had was working for me.


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My Go Devil predates the use of jam nuts, just one prop nut. Talk with the factory and determine what course I will take, no use removing a prop if I'm replacing the shaft along with a new prop.

Ordered new shaft, prop, lower seals, new upper seal housing with two seals and the lubricator kit. Go Devil thought the bushings were fine with no more play than I found. They have told me the new prop will make a difference in performance, and I thought the old prop ran pretty good.
Thanks to all that responded

I'd go ahead and replace that lower bushing while its apart as cheap and easy as it is to replace (once everything is out) bc it's an ordeal to take all that apart and put back together.


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It would be worth a call to GD to see if they already shipped your stuff to add the lower bushing, they'll get you on shipping. I'm kinda delaying getting a new prop, worn about 3/4". Keep us posted on how the new prop runs.