Removing outdrive when not aligned

[Leedanger]

Working on a 1982 merc 140 I/o that was making a god awful noise, first thought was it lost a ring. Go to pull the outdrive, mc-1, this thing is not coming off. It's in forward, verified by turning counter c.w. I take a look at the front mount and notice the adjustment nut is none existent, not sure how long they have been running like this.

What's the safest way to pull the outdrive? At this moment saving the outdrive is priority over saving the engine. Engine is being replaced however I am keeping the motor so I'd like to prevent further damage.

Thanks gentlemen.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

Working on a 1982 merc 140 I/o that was making a god awful noise, first thought was it lost a ring. Go to pull the outdrive, mc-1, this thing is not coming off. It's in forward, verified by turning counter c.w. I take a look at the front mount and notice the adjustment nut is none existent, not sure how long they have been running like this.

What's the safest way to pull the outdrive? At this moment saving the outdrive is priority over saving the engine. Engine is being replaced however I am keeping the motor so I'd like to prevent further damage.

Thanks gentlemen.

Ayuh,... Raise or lower the motor to free the drive...

Reattach the drive rams, 'n use the hyd.s to push it off...

 

[oops!]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

also....turn the crank....if shes tight in one spot.....it will come out....and yes....you can get physical with it

 

[Leedanger]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

Thank you again, you are gentlemen and scholars....or just drunks with allot of experience (which ever you prefer

Didn't consider using the hydro's to do all the heavy lifting for me, good trick to put in the bag.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

Thank you again, you are gentlemen and scholars....or just drunks with allot of experience (which ever you prefer

Didn't consider using the hydro's to do all the heavy lifting for me, good trick to put in the bag.

Suggestion: Leave one nut installed on each side by a few threads. That way, if your "gentle persuasion" works and the drive should come free all of a sudden, then it won't slide out and go crashing to the ground or fall with all the hardware still attached. Seen it happen a number of times.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

Engine is being replaced

It's usually a good idea to pull the outdrive first.... but in your case, you will probably find it easier to simply pull the engine first. Then you can pull the outdrive. With the four bangers, there is usually plenty of room up front to pull the engine up and out. Then the outdrive should come out. Who knows? Maybe it is stuck in the gimbal bearing. But you will be able to tell with the engine out of the way.

 

[Leedanger]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

It's usually a good idea to pull the outdrive first.... but in your case, you will probably find it easier to simply pull the engine first. Then you can pull the outdrive. With the four bangers, there is usually plenty of room up front to pull the engine up and out. Then the outdrive should come out. Who knows? Maybe it is stuck in the gimbal bearing. But you will be able to tell with the engine out of the way.

That is exactly what I had to do. Turns out the gimbal bearing is in pieces, the socket center of the u-joint is toast, the outdrive now leaks gear lube out of the top when at rest at >45 degrees, and worst of all there is a chip approx. 1"L x 1/2" w on the gimbal housing (I assume from the U-joint slopping around in there). The chip is right where the u-bellows would clamp and adhere.

Can I pull the new bellows past the normal resting spot and still get a good seal? It sure seems like it would really cause the bellows to stretch too far, but the alternative appears to be replacing the gimbal housing all together...yikes. If anyone has a "Presidential Maneuver" that will properly fix this problem without having to do the latter I'd be grateful to hear what they have to say.

Cheers

 

[Pete104]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

Quess you found the noise?

 

[Leedanger]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

Quess you found the noise?

Indeed sir...Any thoughts on the gimbal housing flange?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

Indeed sir...Any thoughts on the gimbal housing flange?

You can usually pick up a complete used transom assembly for not much money. It sounds like that may be your best bet. I cannot see your damage of course, but your boat will sink pretty fast if the bellows is not secured well.

Then you will probably also be buying a complete Sterndrive Engineering outdrive. You will probably be better off in the long run - and even cheaper than fixing your current drive.

 

[Leedanger]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

I agree and kind of figured that was the case, I've started putting in a complete new unit start to finish (new in the relative sense).

The bolt pattern on the new housing appears to be the same but I am having a hard time getting it to line up just right. Any recommendations on what to use if I have to seal up the previous bolt holes and drill new ones for a better fit? I was thinking just like a two part epoxy?

Also I had to redo the bellows on this new housing and I just don't feel good about the seal, can't see any reason why it's not ok but it just didn't go onto the flange as much as I thought it should. The little guide bumps did match up, but is there a way for me to test me seal before putting everything all back together? I mean I'm sure I could just dump water on it but I was hoping someone had a more creative way to test it more thoroughly.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Removing outdrive when not aligned

it just didn't go onto the flange as much as I thought it should. The little guide bumps did match up,

agreed. that don't sound right. did ya have the bell housing free when ya installed the bellows to the gimble housing? i found having it (the bell housing) loose allowed me to not have to stretch out the bellows so far, making it easier to get the little ridges to engage. still an impossible task to accomplish though, makes your fingers do work they're not used to. painfull even.

is there a way for me to test me seal before putting everything all back together?

i've not heard of any way to test. short of knowing ya got it together proper. which you think you don't, which i agree it isn't. try again imho.
fwiw, i remove my drive yearly. every time i put it back, the first splash is always a i wonder if i did it right run. time tells. good luck with her.