Freeing stuck bolts

[dradford78]

I am trying to re-seal my lower unit but am having trouble getting a few very stuck bolts out. They are #22 in this diagram. There are six of them. I cannot get any one of them to budge. Any suggestions.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

Try spraying them liberally with PB Blaster and let it sit for a bit. If that fails, heat em up with a torch. Do go crazy with the heat though. Heat em up and let them cool.

Be patient....if you force the bolts and break them, you'll be in for a huge hassle.

 

[cdn-pk]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

i've never had a hassle with my outboards but anyone try using an impact on them after PB Blaster??? works good on other vehicles....

 

[BonairII]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

I would assume that an impact driver would work....but not everyone has access to them.

PB blaster and little heat will loosen 95% of all stuck bolts.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

Are they the screws that hold the very bottom of the gearcase on? The link had the whole bloody motor in it, so I needed to guess. If so, use a hand impact driver on them. They should loosen up with a few smart (not hard) whacks.

 

[F_R]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

If you are talking about the six screws that hold the skeg on, they are NOT "stuck". But they are tight by design. PB won't help. They will instantly come loose if you use the correct tool.

This is the correct tool: A hand impact screwdriver. It is a MUST have for anybody serious about working on outboards. You engage the bit in the screw, twist it in the correct direction, and give it a swat with a hammer. The hammer blow is converted to a rotating action of the bit, and will loosen the tightest screw. It also works to tighten them---that's how you get them that tight when you reassemble your gearcase. Remember, they are tight by design.

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

Impact driver -- can't imagine working on older motors without it.

 

[boobie]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

Geez F_R, You got the same driver I have and had it for years. Only way to go.

 

[ckendziora]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

Be careful with heating PB Blaster one of the ingredents when heated with a torch emits fozgein gas "mustard gas" bad stuff do some internet surfing about it youll see.... Make sure your outside well ventalated etc....

 

[dradford78]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

thanks alot everyone. I went out this morning and got the correct tool. Worked like a charm. Two of the bolts still took a bit of heat to break loose but all six are now loose. I will continue with the seal project later on this afternoon

 

[robert graham]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

Stuck bolts is probably part of a good argument for servicing a water pump every year or 2. When you get ready to re-assemble, wire brush your bolt threads until shiny and clean, apply waterproof marine grease and tighten them down. On the years I don't drop my lower unit for water pump service, I remove, one at a time, each bolt and re-tighten it, just to keep the threads loose. Might take you 5 minutes with your ratchet wrench and could save you broke bolts in the future! Good Luck!

 

[Mas]

Re: Freeing stuck bolts

Stuck bolts is probably part of a good argument for servicing a water pump every year or 2. When you get ready to re-assemble, wire brush your bolt threads until shiny and clean, apply waterproof marine grease and tighten them down. On the years I don't drop my lower unit for water pump service, I remove, one at a time, each bolt and re-tighten it, just to keep the threads loose. Might take you 5 minutes with your ratchet wrench and could save you broke bolts in the future! Good Luck!

Good advice!

Mas