Removing lower unit

[Keith Buchanan]

Hi all, I have a circa 1990 Merc 50hp ELPT,no model but engine ser # 9592697. I have removed the nut inside the trim tab cavity and the one in the middle of the anti-cavitation plate, I have also loosened the two side locknuts ready to fully remove when the gear housing drops sufficiently. The pitot tube is disconnected. Is there anything else that I need to undo or disconnect to get this unit to drop any more than 1/3 inch as it is doing at the moment. <br /><br />Regards Keith...

 

[jim phillips]

Re: Removing lower unit

if it has droped at all then you have all the bolts out, now a little help with some wood wedges and a rubber hammer should drop it the rest of the way. just be careful when it drops it my come down fast.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Removing lower unit

Be gentle, but you're almost there... Lucky has good advice....

 

[ehenry]

Re: Removing lower unit

I"m not sure about your model engine but make sure your shift shaft linkage isn't whats keeping it in place. It may be connected somewhere. My older model 50 hore linkage was a splined shaft that just slipped in to a sleeve. Check it before you apply too much pressure to it to get it loose.

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Removing lower unit

Hi<br /><br />Have just tried the wedges and rubber hammer, the foot is stuck fast, the point of resistance or where it rocks is on the line of the drive shaft in the middle, the front end where the pitot tube and shift shaft seems free, I think the problem is further back towards the middle.<br /><br />Regards Keith.. <br /><br />P.S. after looking at myfisingpictures.com I think my engine may be from the mid 80's by the style of the split cowl and front cover that houses the emergency pull start cord, any info appreciated..

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Removing lower unit

Don't be shy, whack the heck outta it! It is probably stuck at the driveshaft splines. It'll come off if you keep at it.

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Removing lower unit

Okay Quantumleap, I think you may be right, local time here is nearly 21:00 so I'll leave it till the morning otherwise the neighbours will be playing hell, I'll keep you all posted. By the way any takers on possible model or year..?..<br /><br />Thanks all... Keith..

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Removing lower unit

Well I've beaten the crap out of it, I cut some new hardwood wedges, whipped it, swore at it, kicked it, shouted at it, prayed about it.<br /><br />Guess what !........The damn drive shaft spline is still stuck fast, any further ideas or miracles appreciated..<br /><br />Regards Keith

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Removing lower unit

It will come loose. You just have to keep at it. Lose the rubber hammer and get a small 3lb hammer and rotate around the wedges. This may be enough to "Shock" it loose... As was said, put something like thick foam or the like to ease the fall if it comes down hard.

 

[ronmold]

Re: Removing lower unit

This will sound weird but turn the motor upside down (good luck) and squirt some liquid wrench on the shaft. Use the can's snorkle and you should be able to get it through the small space you've made so far. The very runny liquid wrench will follow the shaft down and disolve the rust but it might take a few days of applications.

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Removing lower unit

I'm glad I found you guys, thanks for the support, why is it that when the weather is sh*t your boat is all ready and raring to go......the first bit of high pressure and no wind it takes a sickie...ur the only lot that is stopping me going stir crazy locked up with my crazy girlfreind all day and no fishin.<br /><br />P.S. Going to try DasBoots suggestion, you call it liquid wrench we call it EEZIT and the main brand is WD40...Thanks all keep it all coming....Keith

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Removing lower unit

I didn't use the wedges on mine, I just wrapped the lower unit in a towel and used the biggest rubber mallet I had. Wedges are probably a safer bet though because you could possibly crack the housing. Also be sure to think possitive thoughts with each swing of the hammer. i.e. Boss-SWING, exgirlfriend-SWING, neighbors barking dog-SWING, Damned terrorists-SWING, You get the idea.

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Removing lower unit

Not forgetting you Rick, I did loose the rubber hammer literally today because the head came off.<br />I upgraded to a lump hammer hitting hardwood wedges whilst running engine in forward/reverse and sideways trying to vibrate my way outa this mess. Thanks for your support....Keith..

 

[Stefan Schmitt]

Re: Removing lower unit

I had the same problem on my 35HP 1987 outboard. I finally got it off by whacking the living crap out of wooden wedges over a period of two days.<br /><br />What finally loosened the driveshaft was that I placed a wedge right by it through the gap that was there and then tightened the front nut (the one by the anode). This 'tilts' the unit one way, but it also applies quite some pressure. Let it sit over night and then loosen it again and do the "whack the wooden wedge" again. - Repeat until the thing comes off!<br /><br />..very, very violent procedure.

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Removing lower unit

Hi Doc, <br /><br />you're right there when you said violent, beleive me I,m no pacifist. We will persivere against all odds, at least until something gives. In fact I have an idea that if I disconect the power head from the middle housing I can lift the power head with a block and tackle also taking the weight of the boat and leave it under strain for a while, gravity must win in the end..Regards all ..Keith..

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Removing lower unit

Sorry, double post!

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Removing lower unit

Keith, now I'm sure you see why the manual says to grease the splines when re-installing!! Is this the first time it's been off? (Or I guess I should say almost off)

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Removing lower unit

Its a new donkey to me, if you don't know the history of your engine/donkey, well you scrub it clean, give it a new pump and while you're at it give it some slippy sh*t. This mess sure is'nt my doing but is certainly my problem....

 

[JoeW]

Re: Removing lower unit

Yikes! You guys are freakin me out here. I've gotta pull the lower end on my 1988 100 hp outboard for new seals and new impeller this weekend. As far as I know, they've never been replaced.

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Removing lower unit

Well Joe I wish you the best of luck, just mind your feet when it drops off, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, let us know how you get on.<br /><br />Cheers Keith...