Re: How to remove lower unit
Joe, get; <br />a bottle of outboard gear lube, <br />a bottle of Gojo or other grease-eating hand cleaner, <br />a bundle of wypalls or shop rags, <br />an oil drain pan, <br />An impact screwdriver (available at auto parts stores, and you can't do this without it.<br />a package of "Mercury plug gaskets/lower unit" S&J # 02802. These come in a box of five....TWO are required for each drain/inspect/refill----Tell me that wasn't planned by some bean-counter !

<br />Drain/inspect/refill the l/u.<br />If it's not contaminated, you're done. If it is,You may need to install new seals ,and you picked the right time to fix it (while you have the l/u off).<br />It's easier to do this before you drop the l/u. but if you got it off, don't re-install without inspecting that.<br />Clymer publication,
#B751-3 "Force Outboard Repair Manual/ 4-150HP (includes L-Drives), 1984-1996", would be a requirement if it were my motor. The following link may also be of some help. And BTW, welcome to iboats.<br />
LOWER UNITS 101