lower unit won't come off of 2000 DF70

[manitoba1]

My impeller was well due of replacement so I picked up the new Suzuki impeller kit. I removed the shift lever pin, 6 side bolts and 1 trim tab bolt and according to what I've read the bottom end should break free with a bit of force. Can't seem to budge it. I tried a piece of spruce 2x4 along the cavitation plate and the aluminum flange just above that hitting the block of wood with a hammer. I've only managed to break a small chunk of the flange off which I'm now using JB weld to repair and still haven't been able to separate the lower unit.

Any trick to getting the lower unit to separate from the upper housing? Any suggestions would be really appreciated. I've looked at online videos for impeller replacement and those lower units just seem to fall off.

 

[1080tommy1]

Re: lower unit won't come off of 2000 DF70

Some can be extremely difficult to get off. I would try and use some penetrating oil and let her soak because if you continue to hammer on the cavitation plate, it will only brake more. On some motors there is a little slot in between the lower unit and gear case just for this problem. Check for that and be careful because when it does come free, it will come off easy. Make sure you have at least one of the bolts in so the unit does not fall off and hit the ground. Good luck.

 

[Ldavidgrover]

Re: lower unit won't come off of 2000 DF70

A good heavy rubber mallet on the side of the gear case should do the trick. When you get it off be sure to grease the splines on the drive shaft

 

[manitoba1]

Re: lower unit won't come off of 2000 DF70

Got the lower unit off. Did realize at first there was an additional bolt hidden under the trim tab. A few good tugs and off it came. You live and learn. Thanks for the advise.