New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

[dan4081]

As I posted in my other thread...forward and reverse stopped working on my 86' 85hp force:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=553687

Today my brother and I decided we would drop the lower unit. We have a manual and read some posts on here to make sure we wouldnt miss anything.
After removing all the bolts (even the hidden one) and disconnecting the shift linkage we can not get the lower to drop. We pushed, pulled and even hammered...it didnt budge.
I even found a post where someone, on the advice of Frank, was able to get the lower loose by starting the engine. We started and again tryed everything and it didnt move.

Any other advice or trick?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

The drive shaft is probably rusted into the crankshaft. If starting the engine did not break it free then there is nothing to do except wiggle, pry, and hammer with a rubber mallet. Eventually it will come free. ---Provided you say the correct words: The ones we can not print here

 

[Jiggz]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

You would have to try to pry it between the mid-leg and the lower unit starting with putty knives and then progressing to small screw drivers to bigger ones until you have enough gap in between. Just be careful for it is aluminum and you know what that means.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

All 8 screws out?
If so,it might have hit something real hard and twisted the top of the drive shaft.
You might not ever get it apart.??????

 

[bentle]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

You removed the exhaust snout and got the bolt that is up inside correct??
Like frank said and a few more words and it will come off sooner or later.

 

[dan4081]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Yep, got the one under the snout.
Im a little panicked right about now that its not going to ever release. We really worked it hard and
it didnt budge.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

You are a living, breathing and thinking individual! Don't let an inanimate object beat you because you lack the initiative to try harder! Look it this way, if you cannot lower the lower unit what do you think would the other guy do to do it? Is the other guy really that good that he can do it and you can't? You have to keep on trying and come up with ways to do it unless you want to pay someone to think and do it for you. If such is the case, then stop and get your money ready.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Sounds like he is trying harder!!!
He's on here asking questions????
Profile.location?You might be close to someone who can help.

 

[dan4081]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Sounds like he is trying harder!!!
He's on here asking questions????
Profile.location?You might be close to someone who can help.

Remember from my other thread you answered in I am from St Pete Florida.
Going to work on it some more in the next couple of days.
Ill keep updating.

 

[mitchbuck]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

I am getting ready to do the same thing and your problem is my fear. Would pb blaster or a heat gun help and is it safe to use in this situation?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

When using an impact of some kind, already have tension on it with some kind of lever, then smack it.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Alright Dan. Time to send in the pics of what you are working on. Pic the bottom of the cavitation plate where all the mating bolts are located (including under the exh snout) and also the shift rod. It's not like we don't trust you that you took all bolts out but we want to make sure we are not barking on a wrong tree either. Finally take a pic of the mating surface (close up and at least two sides) of the midleg and the lower unit. I wonder if the last guy who worked on it decided to put some kind of loctite or sealant between the mid leg and the lower unit?

 

[dan4081]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Alright Dan. Time to send in the pics of what you are working on. Pic the bottom of the cavitation plate where all the mating bolts are located (including under the exh snout) and also the shift rod. It's not like we don't trust you that you took all bolts out but we want to make sure we are not barking on a wrong tree either. Finally take a pic of the mating surface (close up and at least two sides) of the midleg and the lower unit. I wonder if the last guy who worked on it decided to put some kind of loctite or sealant between the mid leg and the lower unit?

Thanks, Ill get some pictures tommorrow when I work on it again.

 

[daffodil1003]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Alright Dan. Time to send in the pics of what you are working on. Pic the bottom of the cavitation plate where all the mating bolts are located (including under the exh snout) and also the shift rod. It's not like we don't trust you that you took all bolts out but we want to make sure we are not barking on a wrong tree either. Finally take a pic of the mating surface (close up and at least two sides) of the midleg and the lower unit. I wonder if the last guy who worked on it decided to put some kind of loctite or sealant between the mid leg and the lower unit?

Thanks you for the post.

 

[dan4081]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Success!
Finally, its off!
My brother decided to work on it today between the rain storms. He called me while I was at work and told me he moved it a quarter inch. After work I went over to help and with one of us prying each side we finally got it to slip off.
Sadly, the housing had a good size chunk break out of it. So, its time for a new (used) lower unit.
Ill start a new thread with my questions for the new lower.
Thanks to everyone for the help!!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Why did it stick?
The splines screwed up?
If they are twisted?
Then the splines in the connector/end of crank might be twisted too.
If it's not leaking oil(chunk) then it might be useable.Pics???

 

[Jiggz]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Pics will help. And need to post what you think caused it to get stuck? Which housing are you referring to? I mean if a weld can fix and the lower unit is not really broken as mentioned by Jerry why buy a new or used one?

 

[wickware]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

?Good Pics Are Worth Thousands Of WordS?! If you need help posting let us know. They can be a pain until you learn the system.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

If the broken piece is at the parting line and does not affect any of the bolt holes, simply glue it back with JB weld.

 

[dan4081]

Re: New Problem--Cant drop lower unit

Thanks guys...Ill have to get back over there and get a picture of where it broke.
As far as the splines on the gear rod, they seem to be in good shape.

I do have a couple of pictures of it and a question....what is the part shown in pictures 1 and 2? The round piece that is on each side of the leg...as you can see from the pictures there is a round black rubber piece on one side and it is missing on the other side:
http://dcharbo1.smugmug.com/Other/Lower-Unit/23452646_mvpGR3#!i=1894987435&k=w3q9S7H

Thanks