Prop shaft removal, alpha

[wire2]

So I recently discovered that when they lower the water level by 10" in a lake, it has the same effect as raising big rocks by the same amount. Punched a 1?" hole in the lower gear case, made a serious scrape along (but didn't break) the skeg, minor damage to ss prop, and bent the prop shaft.
I made a tool and removed the cover nut, pulled the bearing carrier/reverse gear. The shaft comes out~ 1" but no more. The manual (Clymer) is not too clear on the process, ( I know, should have bought a Merc manual).
Can someone tell me what is keeping the shaft from pulling out all the way?

 

[achris]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

The pinion gear.

You need to undo the pinion nut and drop the gear off the drive shaft, then kick the propshaft over to one side to disengage the shift crank (can't remember which side but you figure it out pretty quick ), then just pull the propshaft out, with forward gear on it.

Chris.....

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

The pinion gear.

You need to undo the pinion nut and drop the gear off the drive shaft, then kick the propshaft over to one side to disengage the shift crank (can't remember which side but you figure it out pretty quick ), then just pull the propshaft out, with forward gear on it.

Chris.....

To the left, You tilt the propeller shaft to the port side of the gear housing and remove the shaft by pulling
it up and out.

Chris, Whenever I see your name I make sure I open up the thread just to see what type of funny thing your going to say next,lol.

I say this in a nice way, You should have been a comedian, You always have something funny to say.

Wire2, Could you post you're drive year & serial number so somebody here can try and help you out a little bit better? Thanks.

 

[wire2]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

Ok, thanks guys. I had a feeling that's what it was from looking in there. I want to remove everything from the case anyway, so I can weld the case, then powdercoat it.

FT, I would have posted a s/n but I have a Frankenstein drive. I converted from OMC stringer a few years ago, bought an almost new outdrive leg in an ebay auction, then bought the gimbal/transom plate/bellhousing, etc from a dealer and put it all together. There is a s/n on the gimbal assembly, but of course it won't match the leg.

It has worked perfectly since installing it, (can't fault it for failing when I hit solid rock at 30 mph)

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

FT, I would have posted a s/n but I have a Frankenstein drive.

So is it a Gen 2 style dive ?
If so then, click on the red A, B,or C section of your choice. Right now you need 3 B. Good luck.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14notice.pdf

 

[wire2]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

FT, you da man!. That is 100x better than the manual. One item it doesn't really touch on, is that you need a very thin open end wrench to fit the pinion nut. But I'm sure I can overcome that.
Thanks.

 

[achris]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

... One item it doesn't really touch on, is that you need a very thin open end wrench to fit the pinion nut. But I'm sure I can overcome that.
Thanks.

Yep, buy the Merc special tool... .. They got a special tool for everything. See 'A' in the picture.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

Yep, buy the Merc special tool... .. They got a special tool for everything. See 'A' in the picture.

Ayuh,... Or just buy an SEI replacement, 'n toss the junk lower...

 

[wire2]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

Ayuh,... Or just buy an SEI replacement, 'n toss the junk lower...

What? Where's the challenge, the satisfaction?
Actually, Bond-O, I did consider it. It's $845 + shipping + tax, maybe $1100 all in. A bit more than I wanted to spend. The funny thing about SEI, they want $964 ($119 more) for just the empty case, go figure.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

You also need to remove the water pump to allow the driveshaft to be raised up a bit.

 

[wire2]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

Ah! That will make a bit more room for a wrench on the pinion nut. Thanks.

 

[wire2]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

Well, that turned out to be a good learning experience. I got it all apart, and found both shafts and most of the bearings damaged, due to having to idle a mile back to shore with water in the case. So I've ordered an almost new lower from a local supply.
Bond-O, I can hear you thinking; "Ayuh, told ya so"

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

He's probably going to tell you that the gear lube circulates to the upper. Might want to take it apart and look at the gears and bearings, what was in the oil in the lower that destroyed it, is also in the upper.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

Bond-O, I can hear you thinking; "Ayuh, told ya so"

Ayuh,... Like Don said, ya ain't outa the woods, Yet....

 

[wire2]

Re: Prop shaft removal, alpha

Good point. I'm hoping that the upper is ok, due to the fact that I pulled it out of the water the next day (after the impact), and while it sat on the trailer, clean green oil slowly dripped out of the hole. I put a bowl under it, loosened the upper plug, and more than half a cup of clear oil flowed out.
But point taken, Don. I will pull the upper cover and have a good look.