Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

[ve7khz]

Hi fellows,<br /><br />I have a 1991 "PW" Cobra with a 4.3L engine and am trying to remove the outdrive so I can change the rotten TBSC. (shift cable) I have the 6 nuts off the studs and the lift cyclinder rod is out and I can pull the drive back about 1/2", then get a prybar between the gimbal and the leg and get it about 3/4" off, but it is stuck in the rubber coupling and all I am doing is pulling the rubber in the coupler, which i really don't want to have to change if I can help it as I think I would need to pull the engine. Splines had been submerged for a period of time a few winters back before I bought this boat. Everything else is ready to go, I just need to get the outdirve off.<br /><br />Any suggestions on how to get this rusty spline unstuck? I have tried pounding on the shaft thru a space in the motor mount, sprayed penetrating oil etc. No go.<br /><br />Thanks!!<br /><br />Paul

 

[spartanpele]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

Is the gear in neutral? Is there a shift lever inside the rear housing that is still attached? (I'm basing off of my '94) There might be a small nut attached to the shift level that needs to be removed so the lever will slide through the housing hole. It should slide straight out and you'll probably need 2-3 people to help you hold it up will sliding it out.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

Originally posted by spartanpele:<br /> There might be a small nut attached to the shift level that needs to be removed so the lever will slide through the housing hole.

There won't be anything like that.

 

[ve7khz]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

Yes, drive is in neutral but I don't think that is the hang up. I can defeinately see the rubber coupler being pulled thru a slot in the motor mount.<br /><br />Any other ideas guys? I am hoping not to have to pull the engine, which I can't do anyway until the drive is off.<br /><br />thanks<br /><br />Paul

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

This doesn't sound good. <br /><br /><br />Did it move at all? (If it did move even a little you might be able to use one of the products that dissolves iron-oxide, like Naval Jelly, etc... push it back together and get a little on the end of the shaft to clean it up enough to get it to slide thru the coupler) You might be able to use a large plastic hypodermic plunger and a small piece of plastic tubing to squirt it where it needs to go.<br /><br />If the drive shaft is rusted enough to prevent it from coming out of the coupler, you will have to break something to get it out (shaft/coupler etc). Then you'll have to replace whatever you break. If it really is rust then someone did not do yearly maintenance which would have included removing the drive and greasing the shaft splines, coupler, U-joints etc. You'll probably find many more problems once you finally get the drive off.<br /><br />If it absolutely will not come out then you may have to disconnect the U-joints thru the bellows.<br />(I am not even sure this could be done!) <br /><br />I.E. cut out the exhaust and U-joint bellows from below. You'd have to remove the snap rings and try to "tap" the U-joints out of it's respective holder. (all this from underneath!)<br /><br />I have never done this! I don't ever want to either! But, if the shaft will not come out of the coupler and I was unable to pull it apart I can't think of any other way to get it apart.<br /><br />once you get it apart you could possibly use a hammer-puller to get the yoke out of the coupler. <br />That might be problematic also since you'll still be "hammering-pulling" against rubber....<br /><br />This makes me ill even thinking about it! Maybe I'll start lubing mine every 6 months!(I'm glad mine never sits outside or in the water for any length of time.)<br /><br />You'll have to hope that one of the "Been there done that guys" jumps in here on this one! I wouldn't want to be the first to try this!

 

[ve7khz]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

Thanks for the thoughts. Nope, it won't move even a little. It's locked onto the shaft. I have sprayed penetrating oil in but to no avail. The slide hammer thing crossed my mind too but again, the rubber will absorb the shock. <br /><br />I am going to keep pouring in the snake oil to see if anything will disolve the rust. As for yearly maintenance, I bought this from a friend's widow and it had sat for one winter with water in the boat up to the starter, which includes the coupler. So no, there was no maintenance on it for at least one year and maybe more. I don't think they used the boat that often. The motor is all checked out and ready to go and the leg oil is spotless so I don't think water got into anything critical.<br /><br />Thanks again for the help.<br /><br />Paul

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

there will be no tapping the u joints man. goin to have to burn the shaft off, or blow through a u joint with oxy-acetelene if you can even get to it. might have to burn the shaft from inside the boat. make sure and have someone there with you spraying a hose so nothing catches on fire or melts anything important. yeah that sucks. i had a boat with water up to the starter but lucky for me it all came apart nicely.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

a reciprocating saw works as well for cutting the shaft just aft of the coupler and is easier to use than a tourch in that area.<br />at least its not a particularly hard shaft.

 

[Kevin70]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

I had the same problem. I had to take off the clamp ring (on the back side of the upper housing) and when I pulled the motor, the u-joints and everything was pulled out from the inside along with the engine. Then I had better access to get lubes to the shaft. After a few hours of cursing the last owner and wedging the bellhousing with wood wedges, it broke free. Needless to say, This will be serviced with anti-seizing, waterproof grease every season.

 

[ve7khz]

Re: Cobra Driveshaft Stuck in Coupler...help please.

Thanks guys!!<br /><br />I think blowing out a u-joint is going to be my next step. Sounds like the least destructive and they will probably need changing anyway. If I do end up having to pull the engine....well so be it. It's been 5 years and I still haven't had this in the water yet. :-(<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Paul