well, this must not be my year! now I am trying to replace the cutlass bearing, and find I can't get the bronze prop shaft to slide out. It drops down only about an inch and then seems to get stuck. there are some remnants of barnacles left on the shaft, but I did sand the shaft before trying to remove it. it's just not absolutely clean.

Any ideas here? would dish washer soap down into the cutlass bearing help?

Thanks.

Rodd L