Frozen gear lube air bleed screw

[seatek]

2001 VP DP-s. Trailer stored, less than 150 hours. Bought in 2004 with 9 hours on boat.
After getting suspicious of "X" marina's annual service work, for which I paid my hard earned cash for, I decided to pull the outdrive myself and start doing my own annual maintenance. Good thing I did.
I'm not going to go into the details of what I had to do to get this outdrive off, but it's pretty obvious that it was never done.
I've already dealt with those problems and now I'm confident the lube has never been changed, I'm stuck with the S.S. bleed screw frozen into the upper housing. I'm hoping I can get the drain allen plug out also. Before I screw up the ears on this wimpy screw trying to get it out, what are my options when changing the gear lube? :'(

 

[Don S]

Re: Frozen gear lube air bleed screw

Assuming you are referring to the vent screw as the one next to the shift mechanism, those usually need an impact screwdrive to get loose.
The drain plug is more than a plug and will come out. Use a 5/16 allen wrench. Be sure to use a new oring on it as they usually get cut when being removed.
Even if you were not able to get the vent screw out of the upper, having the dipstick removed will allow you to fill the drive thru the drain plug.
DO NOT overfill, as this will blow out the upper ujoint seal and allow the oil into the bellows.
The oil level MUST be in the flat area of the dipstick. Screw the dipstick all the way in when checking level.

 

[seatek]

Re: Frozen gear lube air bleed screw

Thanks Don. You posess a gift to provide quality information.
It's very much appreciated.
Hope that you're enjoying your new abode.

 

[Don S]

Re: Frozen gear lube air bleed screw

Hope that you're enjoying your new abode.

Not yet! Still in Alaska till this house sells.