Impeller won't free from drive shaft on 88spl. Any tricks to do this?

toddschubert

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
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504
After fighting with thermostats, lower unit bolts, **** rod stuck and other road blocks now I can't get impeller off of drive shaft. Steel housing/cup is off leaving impeller exposed but this baby aint budgin!
Any ideas????????
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
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Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: Impeller won't free from drive shaft on 88spl. Any tricks to do this?

Put a vice grip on the D/S ( not in a seal area or the splines) and get a BIG water pump pliers. Hold on to the vice grips and rotate the the impeller clockwise looking from the top. If that doesn't work, split the impeller hub.
 

1946Zephyr

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Oct 21, 2008
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5,556
Re: Impeller won't free from drive shaft on 88spl. Any tricks to do this?

Nahhhh you don't want to put vice grips on those....ugh! grab a metal pipe that is barely larger than the drive shaft and slip it over the drive shaft. Like a slide hammer, gently tap the impeller off the drive shaft.
 

toddschubert

Chief Petty Officer
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Sep 3, 2011
Messages
504
Re: Impeller won't free from drive shaft on 88spl. Any tricks to do this?

Thanks guys, I got it off by first heating shaft a little then cooling quickly Hopefully not enough to warp it. Now I have no delima on changing it or not....it's ruined by prying on it.
Key is just a piece of nylon plastic, does that sound good?
 

boobie

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Nov 5, 2009
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Re: Impeller won't free from drive shaft on 88spl. Any tricks to do this?

Zeph. How are you going to tap the impeller off of the d/s if the d/s is still in the lower unit??? Todd, you'll get a new key with the w/p kit. Just make sure you install it correctly.
 

1946Zephyr

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Re: Impeller won't free from drive shaft on 88spl. Any tricks to do this?

Oh crap. that's the type with a nut on the end of the shaft, isn't it. Ooops my mistake :eek:
 

toddschubert

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
504
Re: Impeller won't free from drive shaft on 88spl. Any tricks to do this?

I talked to another tech who said hiting with hammer and screwdriver in a rotational manor will work to free it.
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: Impeller won't free from drive shaft on 88spl. Any tricks to do this?

Same idea as the water pump pliers and vice grips.
 
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