How to remove the drive shaft and bearing carrier assembly

bizzy2

Cadet
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Messages
13
I have a 1974 Mercury Thunderbolt 200 20 hp serial #4020493. The lower unit on this motor had a busted up bearing carrier and housing. I bought a 1974 short shaft lower unit and am in the process of removing the old drive shaft and placing it in the new lower unit but I do not know how to remove the drive shaft and the bearing carrier assembly.

So far I have taken out the prop and first gear on the old lower unit along with the screw at the bottom of the drive shaft, but I am still unable to remove the shaft. Then once I get the shaft out I will have to remove the bearing carrier and first gear from the new lower unit but not sure how to do that without breaking anything.

Can someone help me or should I just take it to a marina to have it done???
 

bizzy2

Cadet
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Messages
13
Re: How to remove the drive shaft and bearing carrier assembly

any help???
 

merc850

Commander
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
2,055
Re: How to remove the drive shaft and bearing carrier assembly

Clamp the driveshaft in a vise as close to housing as possible and with a block of wood held against the housing near the driveshaft, hit the block of wood with a hammer to free the pinion gear. Someone should hold onto housing to prevent it hitting anything. This is from the service manual.
 
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