Steering shaft removal

[Doug hicks]

Hi there to all , I have a 1982 cobia sportster I'm trying to pull steering shaft out of intermediate housing. I have pulled the bolt from the inside and got it to come out about 11/2" and It will not budge any more. This is an omc electric shift 120 Duke. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[kenny nunez]

There is a slotted head screw on the drum that the cable wraps around.
if that is out then you just have to keep rotating it back and forth while pulling/prying and it will come out. There is a plastic bushing in the housing that corrosion builds up under which causes the shaft to bind.

 

[Doug hicks]

There is a slotted head screw on the drum that the cable wraps around.
if that is out then you just have to keep rotating it back and forth while pulling/prying and it will come out. There is a plastic bushing in the housing that corrosion builds up under which causes the shaft to bind.

Yea thanks for the reply I have been twisting and prying for two days lol farthest it's came is about 11/2" and just stopped and nothing since. Would it hurt to use a slide hammer?

 

[Doug hicks]

Yea thanks for the reply I have been twisting and prying for two days lol farthest it's came is about 11/2" and just stopped and nothing since. Would it hurt to use a slide hammer?

And the screw is out

 

[kenny nunez]

If you use a slide hammer be careful not to shear off the snap ring groove.
First try using a crow bar to get behind the gear and also driving it in and pulling prying it out.
I can feel your pain, I have had my share of those binding steering shafts.

 

[Scott Danforth]

A 1982 should be full mechanical shift. Electric shift went away in 1977

The iron duke is a 151 cubic inch Pontiac motor. Shares nothing but valve cover bolts with the Chevrolet 153 cubic inch used in boats

 

[Doug hicks]

If you use a slide hammer be careful not to shear off the snap ring groove.
First try using a crow bar to get behind the gear and also driving it in and pulling prying it out.
I can feel your pain, I have had my share of those binding steering shafts.

Ok thanks for info will let you know the outcome

 

[Doug hicks]

Ok thanks for info will let you know the outcome

It's is electric shift I have the outdrive off and have owned them before. But I still have had no luck if I split the motor and housing can I knock it out from inside the housing?

 

[Doug hicks]

It's is electric shift I have the outdrive off and have owned them before. But I still have had no luck if I split the motor and housing can I knock it out from inside the housing?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Sure looks like a mechanical shift. That shift cable is over $1000. And it looks like it has a kink

 

[Doug hicks]

Sure looks like a mechanical shift. That shift cable is over $1000. And it looks like it has a kink

Yea don't know what I was thinking, but can I split motor and housing and knock that steering shaft out ?

 

[kenny nunez]

That would not work. Is it possible to rotate the shaft by using a pair of channel lock pliers on the gear?

 

[Doug hicks]

That would not work. Is it possible to rotate the shaft by using a pair of channel lock pliers on the gear?

Yea I can turn it , it still turns the steering wheel so I'm guessing it's still in the splines . But I have turned and prayed so much it's not budging

 

[kenny nunez]

You said that the slotted head 1/4” 20 screw is out of the drum. The only thing that might be the problem is a burr of aluminum has wedged itself in the shaft. Have someone or try to lock the steering wheel then rotate the shaft with the channel lock pliers which should shear off whatever is causing the problem.
There are no splines, only the screw that secures the drum to the shaft.

 

[Bt Doctur]

the rectanguler box

 

[kenny nunez]

He needs the picture of the intermediate housing if you can post it Doc.

 

[Doug hicks]

You said that the slotted head 1/4” 20 screw is out of the drum. The only thing that might be the problem is a burr of aluminum has wedged itself in the shaft. Have someone or try to lock the steering wheel then rotate the shaft with the channel lock pliers which should shear off whatever is causing the problem.
There are no splines, only the screw that secures the drum to the shaft.

O ok thought their was splines I'll give that a shot hopefully it works . Thanks for info I'll keep you posted.

 

[Doug hicks]

You said that the slotted head 1/4” 20 screw is out of the drum. The only thing that might be the problem is a burr of aluminum has wedged itself in the shaft. Have someone or try to lock the steering wheel then rotate the shaft with the channel lock pliers which should shear off whatever is causing the problem.
There are no splines, only the screw that secures the drum to the shaft.

Well now the outcome I blocked the steering and turned the shaft and it like shredded the cable just outside of the drum I don't know what's next. I think maybe just try and sell motor and outdrive and take boat to landfill lol.