Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - ***SUCCESS***

[Moxie]

The short version: I dropped the lower unit to install a pump kit, but the driveshaft remained attached. Any trick to this or is it just stuck? Or did I just screw something up when I took the entire motor apart in no particular order?


Long Version:
In the process of my exhaust tube repair, I managed to take just about everything off of this motor for inspection. I realized that something was shorting and I had only been running on one cylinder. I replaced the thermostat, fixed the short, installed a carb repair kit and cleaned just about everything on this motor. Put everything back together again (which took me the better part of Saturday) and dropped it in the test tank.

While not by any means technically challenged, having never broken down an outboard and I expected nothing good to happen when I pulled the cord. To my surprise, it ran beautifully for the 10 seconds I allowed it to run. No tell tale.

This is when I realized that the impeller key was not on the shaft. Couldn't find it anywhere, so I got kit. I figured I might as well replace everything including the impeller.

Then another realization -- not once did the shaft ever come off with the lower unit. :face palm:

Any thoughts on this? Going to be hard installing that impeller key from the bottom...

Thanks for the help!

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

give us the hp and model number and we will tell you how many bolts hold the lower unit on (some might be hidden) im confussed with the shaft off the lower unit as all the ones ive worked on the shaft is fixed to the lower unit.

 

[boobie]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

If the drive shaft is stuck in the crank shaft you're going to have to remove it to put the w/p together correctly.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

If you can post a pic of your lower unit...it might help also.

 

[Moxie]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Tough to get focus on the shaft, but I think it'll give you a general idea. I'm pretty sure it's rusted on to the crank. The question is whether or not I'll do more damage trying to get it off... I've hit it with the PB oil and give it some love taps with a rubber mallet. Won't budge.

 

[boobie]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Mix up some ATF and Acetone 50/50 and try working that in there. Once in awhile give the shaft a few side way raps with a hammer.

 

[Beek14]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Without the impeller key, the shaft will slip right through the water pump housing. Having said that, I've seen some really stuck driveshafts inside the crank. Good luck! Be careful with the acetone (however that is a good remedy).

 

[BonairII]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

A PB blaster soak should do the trick if you don't have acetone/atf.

 

[Moxie]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Well I've hit it with the PB blaster for three days now... Last night I used the heat gun and today used acetone/atf followed by the torch. Still nothing. Wow. I do have a couple of small screwdriver tips lodged in there as well and I'm sure they aren't helping me out.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

You're probably going to have to get creative.

Can you attach a "come along" (or something similar) on to the shaft and put a lot of pulling pressure on it....while heating it with a torch?

 

[AlTn]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

do you have an air chiesel with a point or hammer face?....seems vibration near the location where the shaft enters the head helps get things going...

 

[Moxie]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

I think so, but I may have loaned it out. I don't think that thing is ever coming out. If I get creative it'll probably be in trying to install that lower unit with the impeller key from the bottom up. The impeller that came off the motor has no brass internal ring while the new one does... Make me wonder if it was removed from the old one for the same reason.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

jmo, but if you dont free up the driveshaft in the crank, you are looking for bigger troubles than just an impeller.

 

[AlTn]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

seems one poster located another d/s first then welded "ears" onto the stuck shaft and used a slap hammer to finally get it out

 

[Ibl0wstuffup]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

I would try pulling on it and while you tension on it rap it on the sides with a small hammer. I use this method on stuck ball joints and tie rods on cars.

 

[Beek14]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

RUST.... Mother natures weld...

 

[Moxie]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - ***SUCCESS*** (w/video)

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - ***SUCCESS*** (w/video)

I really appreciate all of your replies and info... This is one I'm going to remember. Read on.

If there was one person I knew that could get this off, it was my dad. I called him up and he said "Bring that thing over here before you break something".

Now -- he did a few things differently. First he measured the shaft with a caliper (.43") and drilled three washers at 29/64". He applied an ice bag below the crank claiming that by doing so we should be able to get 1/3000" with heat. That was it. The first couple of whacks moved the shaft, tightened the vice and *PING*. Then - as if nothing happened - he answers the phone and says "See? Told you I'd get it off". Well, here it is for your viewing pleasure. The camera is pretty shaky until the end.

 

[boobie]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Lot of work, but glad you got it out.

 

[Beek14]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

And now the fun of reassembling the motor!

 

[Moxie]

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Re: Lower unit removed - shaft still attached - help?

Well it wasn't exactly fun, but it's all reassembled and purrs like a kitten. (knock on wood)