Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

[Ratboy14]

I have a 1980 mercruiser 140 with a #1 outdrive. My dad and I were trying to get the outdrive off to replace the gimble bearing/bellow boots. While we were trying to get it off we noticed it would spring back into the transom and a friend said it is probably the drive coupler pulling it back. How do we get this off because today we had 90 degree weather and it would have been really nice to take the boat out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

The last one I had with that problem, I had to cut the shaft between the coupler and the gimbal bearing. You then need a new coupler, gimbal bearing, yoke,, ujoints, and who knows what else at this point. Once you get the drive off, if there was water in the bellows, the complete transom shield could be bad.
It's caused by years of no maintenance.

 

[Ratboy14]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

The last one I had with that problem, I had to cut the shaft between the coupler and the gimbal bearing. You then need a new coupler, gimbal bearing, yoke,, ujoints, and who knows what else at this point. Once you get the drive off, if there was water in the bellows, the complete transom shield could be bad.
It's caused by years of no maintenance.

That isn't good. We got it for $600 and it ran fine until we found it had a leak in the bellows and we found we cant get the darn thing off

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

That is why buying old boats is such a fun adventure. You just never know what the seller isn't telling you.

 

[Ratboy14]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

Would there be any less expensive ways to get this off like a spray?

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

If its that stuck, probably not. :-( 'nutcase

 

[cr2k]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

You DID put the drive in FORWARD gear first? Right?
If not you will have a very hard time getting it off and probably break something if you do.

If it is in forward then you have a nasty problem.

 

[Ratboy14]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

You DID put the drive in FORWARD gear first? Right?
If not you will have a very hard time getting it off and probably break something if you do.

If it is in forward then you have a nasty problem.

Yes it was in forward. I dont want to get rid of this boat because its such a nice hull and the engine runs fine besides the outdrive problem . I think tomorrow we are gonna keep working at slowly pulling it off.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

Try greasing the shaft with the zerk fittings on the coupler, and then working it back and forth. You might just get it to break loose.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

Try greasing the shaft with the zerk fittings on the coupler, and then working it back and forth. You might just get it to break loose.

His coupler doesn't have a zirk, that didn't start till the mid 90's

 

[300sflyer]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

His coupler doesn't have a zirk, that didn't start till the mid 90's

Oops... I did not know that Don.

I suppose there is the off chance it is not the original coupler, but then it would not likely be stuck then either...

Having said that, the only thing I could suggest, would be to spray penetrating oil right at the shaft where it enters the coupler for a few days in a row, to try to free it up.

 

[Ratboy14]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

I think we are gonna cut the shaft. Is there a certain spot that we can cut that would be the cheapest to replace like in front of the u joint closest to the boat? Also what drive shaft/u joint do I replace it with as its a #1 drive? Would I be able to use an alpha 1 joint?

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

The last one I had with that problem, I had to cut the shaft between the coupler and the gimbal bearing. You then need a new coupler, gimbal bearing, yoke,, ujoints, and who knows what else at this point. Once you get the drive off, if there was water in the bellows, the complete transom shield could be bad.
It's caused by years of no maintenance.

What he said!

I bought a used boat just for parts and had to do the same thing.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

I think we are gonna cut the shaft.

If it were me, I would give the penetrating oil a shot. You have nothing to lose by trying.

 

[xltier]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

I think we are gonna cut the shaft. Is there a certain spot that we can cut that would be the cheapest to replace like in front of the u joint closest to the boat? Also what drive shaft/u joint do I replace it with as its a #1 drive? Would I be able to use an alpha 1 joint?

i once saw a guy put a piece of wood in between the leg and the gimbal housing and use the power down on the rams to pull it .crude-but it worked.

 

[Ratboy14]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

If it were me, I would give the penetrating oil a shot. You have nothing to lose by trying.

We did that about 3 weeks ago and it didn't change but it was only WD-40 so I think there might be more powerful stuff that will work. Do you know of any good oil for that?

i once saw a guy put a piece of wood in between the leg and the gimbal housing and use the power down on the rams to pull it .crude-but it worked.

Tried it and it didn't work.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

Have you tried running the engine on ear muffs? If the alignment is off, which it likely is, that may loosen it up a bit.

As far as oil goes, you need one with a creeper in it. I've always liked Rust Check or Krown Rust control oils in a spray can. I keep both in my garage.

 

[achris]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

Depending on access, you may be able to get in with a gas torch and burn the centre out of the coupler. Once that's done you are just up to replacing the coupler and the bellows (and anything else the water has got to... Usually gimbal bearing and unis too...) At least you may be able to save the shaft if nothing else....

0.02

Chris.........

 

[Ratboy14]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

Have you tried running the engine on ear muffs? If the alignment is off, which it likely is, that may loosen it up a bit.

As far as oil goes, you need one with a creeper in it. I've always liked Rust Check or Krown Rust control oils in a spray can. I keep both in my garage.

I didn't think of turning the engine over. I will do that tomorrow but not let the engine start unless I need to.

 

[achris]

Re: Drive shaft stuck to drive coupler

Another possibility is to lower (or raise) the front engine mount a little, and then run the engine for a couple of minutes..... That may put enough sideways force on the coupler/shaft to break it free. What's the worst that could happen? You break something. Well, something is going to get broken anyway....

HTH

Chris.......