94 four winns horizon prop issues. Sounds like its coming apart

[Boats&hoes]

So I had the boat out and all of the sudden there was this loud rattling and vibration in the drive. I was able to limp back. After running it at home I heard the loud banging at the bottom where the prop shaft connects. Im new to this and have no manual or video on how to split the drive. I def think its the bottom end of the drive. The propeller still turns but something is beating off the casing inside. I have tried to split the drive and it just wont budge. Bolts are out and its acting like its super glued lol. Any advice would help.

 

[ThomW]

What type of motor is on your boat? Removing the lower can be different depending on motor. Mercruisers can be split without removing the entire drive, but OMC Cobras need to have the whole lower unit removed, then split. Did you remove the bolt under the anode? How many nuts did you remove when trying to separate the lower? There are usually one or two "hidden" nuts to remove. Have you checked the gear lube? Sounds like you may have grenaded the lower unit gears, which could be a result of little or no gear lube in there.

 

[QBhoy]

Is it possible you’ve hit the bottom and it’s the prop hub that’s sacrificed

 

[Lou C]

First do you have a shop manual and tools, and training to work on a stern drive? Its like a manual transmission or differential, if you're not a trained on how to take these apart, you may do more harm than good.
Also there are 2 versions of the Cobra, one is the original OMC model, that is flat across the top, the other is the joint venture with Volvo model, that has a hump on the top, it is exactly the same as a Volvo SX of the same year, just painted OMC charcoal grey.
I think you're going to wind up having to take it in. I've done all the maintenance on mine but actual repairs, that I leave to pros.

 

[Boats&hoes]

What type of motor is on your boat? Removing the lower can be different depending on motor. Mercruisers can be split without removing the entire drive, but OMC Cobras need to have the whole lower unit removed, then split. Did you remove the bolt under the anode? How many nuts did you remove when trying to separate the lower? There are usually one or two "hidden" nuts to remove. Have you checked the gear lube? Sounds like you may have grenaded the lower unit gears, which could be a result of little or no gear lube in there.

Its the omg 5.0 ford. So far I have taken out 4 bolts. I ended up pulling the whole drive. I think you are right about the gears. When I spin the prop it hangs up a bit then spins and you can feel something isnt right.

 

[ThomW]

Its the omg 5.0 ford. So far I have taken out 4 bolts. I ended up pulling the whole drive. I think you are right about the gears. When I spin the prop it hangs up a bit then spins and you can feel something isnt right.

Drain the gear lube. See if anything is in there, and if there is gear lube...see if it is full of metal flakes.

 

[Boats&hoes]

Is it possible you’ve hit the bottom and it’s the prop hub that’s sacrificed

I actually did bottom out the last tine i was in before this happened.

 

[Lou C]

insurance?

 

[QBhoy]

I actually did bottom out the last tine i was in before this happened.

Sounds likely to be related to the issue. Prop hub would be the best of the possible outcomes. Good luck.