Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

[gwgautney]

I was trying to do a water pump change and broke one of the long stainless bolts off. The head came off of bolt. The lower unit wil not come off. Would there be any reason that would keep lower unit on. It will movearound but will not come off. Any hints help anything lol.

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

Well you didn't specify which motor you had, but for instance my Force 40 has a 5th bolt under the sacrificial zinc at the rear behind the prop. Your a bit lucky in that you will hopefully have a stub where the head broke off to work with. Once you get the lower end to drop, get some easy outs, ss is soft, soak everything with WD-40, tap the stub, maybe use a little heat, and hope you get lucky. I always use antiseize when I reassemble....for the next time....

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

Did you remove the "hidden" bolt under the exhaust snout? If so, the lower unit will swing a little in either direction but the corrosion will have grabbed the bolt that snapped tight. Since aluminum expands much more than stainless under heat, use a torch to heat the area where the bolt is and use a dead blow hammer to pound down on the lower unit. Careful: Too much hammering on the anti-ventilation plate will break it. Here is a case where a couple of extra hands and some patience is necessary.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

86 85hp Force.
Under the snout?
The shift linkage loose?

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

sorry about that yes its an 85 hp force 86 model. Yeah linkage pin is pulled and hidden bolt under exhaust snout is removed. I guess the corrosion has it i had a lot of white powder come out of the other ones. will try the heat method this weekend

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

A wood block used a hammer.
Just don't pound on the cavitation plate.
It WILL break off.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

Hey, Jerry--Lets send him over to the prop forum so he can get beat on again---LOL

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

To late broke a piece of the cavitation plate like a dummy. Was using a rubber mallet. Got a friend said he could weld it up for me. I will try the wood today.

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

I got lower unit off finally but i only have about 1/4 inch of stud left sticking out of upper unit any ideas or old timer tricks to get that stud out. Its caked with white powder and really cant get much of anything on the nub I got left maybe some vice grips but bolt is really in there

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

Your lucky,1/4in is good.
WD or PB Blaster,a small propane torch and a small hammer.
Spray,and heat and spray and heat.Then tap on the side of the housing and tap on the end of the bolt.
Don't kill it just tap.
Then a pair of vice grips.Try turning it in a bit and then out a bit.
Baby steps. Slowly.
Repete the steps.

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

ten four thanks and wish me luck

 

[stubtail]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

Get your welder buddy to weld a bolt onto the remainder of the stud if there isn't enough to grasp with your vise-grips.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

with 1/4" of bolt sticking out. soak with PB Blaster or Kroil (WD 40 will not cut it). after about an hour of soaking, smack it with a hammer, then soak it again. Repeat a few times. Gently like Jerry mentioned, not beating it to submission Then place a nut over the nub and weld the nut to the bolt. the heat will break loose what is left. then slowly work back and forth until you get the bolt out.

use grease or tefgel, not never seize when reinstalling Never seize in a marine environment should be called corrosion enhancer.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

Never sieze turns into permabond when exposed to salt water.
We used to use it on the new boats steering before we delivered.Chesapeake Bay.
Then we started getting a lot of returns for siezed steering.Then we changed to Triple Guard.
I now use 30wt.oil and WD to clean it.

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

Well I guess it's a matter of coincidence I guess. I've been working on boats and cars for 50 years, I wouldn't put anything together without it. I've had my 1979 40' Jersey Dawn for 34 years, never have a problem getting the props off and have the original keys....it'll be going on my Force 40 lower unit so I don't break a bolt like someone else we know.....

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

I use Triple Guard on all bolts.
For some reason these Force/Chrysler seem to corrode more than other brands.
Had a Evinrude that was made in the early 80's
Blew a piston and I was gonna take it apart and scrap the good stuff.
This motor was in salt it's whole life.
Never had the heads off.
I removed ALL the bolts without any problems.
Try that on a Force and you'll be digging out the torch and working for hours.

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: Trying to pull lower unit and snapped one of stainless bolts HELP

Well we'll give that Triple Guard a try...but if one of my bolt gets stuck....