Lower Unit Won't Budge

[Ol Sarge]

Hi Guys, I've got a 92 model 70hp Johnson that I'm trying to change the water pump in. The problem is the lower unit won't separate from the exhaust housing. I've disconnected the shift rod and taken off the trim tab, the bolt under the trim tab and the 2 bolt in front of the trim tab and the 2 bolts on each side of the lower unit. I can a little movement but for the life of me I can't get the lower unit off. I'm thinking the drive shaft is stuck in the power head for some reason. Does anyone have any idea of how to free it up and get it out. I know this can't be the only time this has happened and I'm just hoping someone has dealt with it before and can give me some ideas. Thanks to all.

 

[F_R]

If you are correct in your assessment, it can be a real bear, or even impossible. Depends on how badly it is rusted in there.

 

[fireman57]

don't feel like the Lone Stranger it has happened to all of us. Do a search for stuck lower unit and you will find plenty of thread on it. just don't try to force it off by prying on the aluminum housing.

 

[boobie]

If you're sure all the bolts are out, put one back in and leave loose. Then put some ear muffs on it and start it up. Rev it up and down a few times and see what happens.

 

[Ol Sarge]

If you're sure all the bolts are out, put one back in and leave loose. Then put some ear muffs on it and start it up. Rev it up and down a few times and see what happens.

Boobie, I was thinking along the same lines but wasn't sure if I would do more damage by doing that. I was thinking maybe getting the motor hot would cause some expansion between the crank and the drive shaft and would maybe loosen it up. I feel like if I can just get it to start to separate from the exhaust housing I would be OK. I can get movement at the seam where the 2 cases meet but can't get any space between them. It's really frustrating.

 

[boobie]

The vibration from running may help break it loose.

 

[Ol Sarge]

The vibration from running may help break it loose.

Man I sure hope so. It's about the only thing I can think of doing at this point.

 

[boobie]

When it's running wrap the side of the lower gear case with a big rubber mallet also.

 

[Ol Sarge]

When it's running wrap the side of the lower gear case with a big rubber mallet also.

That's a good idea Boobie. Thanks. I'm gonna give it a try in the morning and see how it goes. I understand now why I never wanted to be an Outboard motor mechanic. I've wrenched on a lot of things through the years, I was an ASE certified mechanic before I joined the military, but this is a whole different animal.

 

[racerone]

I have used a puller / come-along and adapters to remove stuck lower units.-----It failed to work on a 79 model 100 HP and ended up cutting driveshaft.-----All housings were scrapped.

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

What's the model number?

If this is a 20", diagram says 4 bolts gearcase to exhaust housing.

 

[racerone]

?---2 bolts each side was mentioned.

 

[Ol Sarge]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm positive I've got all the bolts out and the shift linkage is disconnected. Like I said originally I can a little movement, wiggle, out of the lower unit but can't get it to separate from the exhaust housing. I probably couldn't get a sheet of paper in the seam. There has got to be a way to get this apart without destroying the motor. If I have to start tearing things up to get it apart I might as well just leave it alone and save the effort.

 

[boobie]

Ol Sarge. DOUBLE CHECK you have ALL the bolts out to get the lower unit off !!!!!

 

[Ol Sarge]

Ol Sarge. DOUBLE CHECK you have ALL the bolts out to get the lower unit off !!!!!

Believe me, I have double and triple checked so many times I'm dizzy. If there is another bolt somewhere they did a dman good job of hiding it. It must be invisible. I have literally run my hands completely over the lower unit from front to rear and top to bottom and didn't find any other bolts than the ones I've already removed. I would love to find that I had missed a bolt and that was what is causing the problem. Man would I love that.

 

[F_R]

Post #1 you said you get a little movement. I'd say if you can wiggle it, the bolts are out.

 

[Ol Sarge]

Post #1 you said you get a little movement. I'd say if you can wiggle it, the bolts are out.

Thanks for the input. I know the bolts are all out after checking it countless times. If there were still a bolt holding it somewhere I shouldn't get any movement at all. I've been a mechanic all my life both professionally and recreationally so I'm not new to the game but this is the first outboard I've ever worked on. Now I know why.

 

[Ol Sarge]

What's the model number?

If this is a 20", diagram says 4 bolts gearcase to exhaust housing.

Model number is VJ70TLEND

 

[F_R]

And in post #1 you said you removed two bolts from each side. Where I went to school, two bolts from the left side + two bolts from the right side add up to four bolts. Sounds pretty clear to me.

 

[Ol Sarge]

And in post #1 you said you removed two bolts from each side. Where I went to school, two bolts from the left side + two bolts from the right side add up to four bolts. Sounds pretty clear to me.

I'm not sure of your point but I assume you mean all the bolts are out from around the outside of the lower unit. The only other bolts are the trim tab and the bolts under it and in front of it.