Stern drive won't come off

[acdc96]

My buddy has a boat similar to mine with same exact engine and drive. So he asked me to help him replace the bellows in his drive. I took off the trim rams and the prop. Put the boat in forward gear like it said. Took off the 6 nuts that hold on the drive. Started pulling the drive and it did not budge. Sprayed some liquid wrench penetrating oil around the drive gasket and on the bolt studs let it sit for an hour. With some wiggling and pulling we got the drive to come out a 3/8" or so and could not get it out any further.
I'm really stumped here my boat was sitting for a couple of years and it came off with ease.
Any ideas how to get it off?

Mercruiser 260hp V8 1987
Alpha one gen 1

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

Ayuh,.... Put the trim rams back on, 'n use it to push the drive off,...
Ya might need to block the top of the drive with wood, so's it pushes Off, 'n not up,...

So long as it's actually in Forward,...
My guess is the shaft is rusted into the gimbal bearin',...

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

Yep, its going to bring the gimbal out with it, Just pick the drive up and drop it a few times to see if it moves. Be sure the skeg doesn't hit the ground. Otherwise you are going to be driving wedges between the dirve and gimbal to get it apart.

 

[GaJeff]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

The first time I removed my drive it was extremely difficult. The PO said the last time he done the bellows and had the drive off was 1994. So FF to 2012, it was my turn and it fought me the entire way out... had to slam, block, pry, kick, and force it off. But I got it. Took about 2hrs.

Every time since then has been better, still a bit of a fight to separate but not like the first time.

Good luck
Jeff

 

[thumpar]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

Just do what Bondo said. Take a 2x4 and put it between the transom and the cap on the drive. Use the trim rams to do the work. You may find the gimble bearing comes out too.

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

2 guys with a wrecking bar each prying on both sides evenly with smooth pressure, and it will pop out like nothing.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

I would not do that, quickest way to destroy an outdrive. Very poor advice Kerna

 

[thumpar]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

I would not do that, quickest way to destroy an outdrive. Very poor advice Kerna

Agreed. The surfaces could easily be damaged.

 

[acdc96]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

Yeah I know that all to well never pry metal apart with a scewdriver or something. Gouge. I'm gonna try with the rams but they need new seals. They are ordered and are in the mail. Gonna be a week or so till he sees them.

 

[acdc96]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

It has a teak swim platform can I block it up to their? Or is it to weak?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

It has a teak swim platform can I block it up to their? Or is it to weak?

Nope,... Don't do that,...

Just wedge a block of wood 'tween the top of the drive, 'n the transom housin',...

 

[pevaguy]

Re: Stern drive won't come off

Since you got it to move: "With some wiggling and pulling we got the drive to come out a 3/8" or so and could not get it out any further."
Try shoving it back in place, possibly using a "dead blow hammer" and then pulling it back. You may have to repeat several times if it moves a little bit more each attempt until it comes free. If that dosen't work use Bondo's method with the trim cylinders.