War with lower unit

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

Bosun:
I've thought about the removing the pinion gear route, but I'm wondering would I need a bunch of special alignment tools to put the LU back together as is claimed for the force LUs? That's the main reason I kinda wanted to leave that as an emergency last resort approach.

 

[mercurymang]

Re: War with lower unit

Could you possibly take some pics of your setup from all angles?

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

Yep! Gimme 10 minutes!

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: War with lower unit

Bosun:
I've thought about the removing the pinion gear route, but I'm wondering would I need a bunch of special alignment tools to put the LU back together as is claimed for the force LUs? That's the main reason I kinda wanted to leave that as an emergency last resort approach.

I dont think so, some merc engineer in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin may say so but i cant see why thatd be necessary, the bearing, housing hold it in alignment, il look in my service manual, but its definitely a last resort option

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: War with lower unit


This is what the end cap looks like but this one isnt tapered, yours is

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

Thanks fellas. Bosunsmate me thinks you may be onto something!
And here are the req'd pics. I hope theres not a limit per thread!

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit



Hope this helps

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: War with lower unit

Ive checked my service manual and it seems the only thing that the merc engineers say for reinstallation of the driveshaft is to tighten the pinion nut to 60 foot pounds (ensuring all prior installed shims are put back in).
Heres a photo of the endcap from the manual. I think from memory that the driveshaft only just fits inside the tapered bottom end, ps thats not the driveshaft in the photo its a ball bearing press

 

[carholme]

Re: War with lower unit

What is the actual amount of separation in inches and is the flywheel still connected to the prop?

Gerry

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: War with lower unit

Nice use of the half hitch
If it was me id of gotten reckless by now and be standing on the powerhead with a barbell and weights!

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

Flywheel and drive shaft are in fact disconnected. the separation is 1 3/4".

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

LOL Bosunsmate , I did put a little downward pressure on it but I don't think I have enough of a rope there to go all wild on it as-is! Mite be time to invest in some basics!

 

[carholme]

Re: War with lower unit

Then is there some reason preventing the use of wooden wedges to get that LU down. Barring any studs that are not through and the exhaust tube is free, the shift shaft is free, there is really nothing else holding it in there.

Gerry

 

[mercurymang]

Re: War with lower unit

Agreed. I can't tell for sure though, are all the bolts out. Looks like you got the one under the trim tab. Any others? If you move it up and down to where it catches, can you tell where the sound is coming from?

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

@Bosunsmate:
I'm thinking about this.. since that's the case I don't mind slipping into the LU gear case. The spanner nut is also conveniently frozen but I picked up another one to have on hand for the job. I'm doing ALL the seals do one way or another I have to get inside of it eventually. That said, I'd like to get that shaft cleaned up as well so come hell or high tide, I think I should try and get this puppy out of the leg. My intent was to get the LU indoors for that bit of fun!!

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

@mercurymang
All of the bolts are definitely out. The one up front not mentioned in the service manual held me back a few minutes but then I took it off regardless. All of the studs are clear save for the front one which is almost clear. However, that one slides up and down through the opening with ease so it's not an obstacle. I can't really move it because even with the flywheel braced, my body weight (or much of it) will not push this sucker back in. the only real play at this stage is about 1/4". I can't really feel where exactly it's stuck but I can say for sure the exhaust on that rubber gasket is moving in and out (what tiny little bit remains in the gasket) easily. Checked that part 3 or 4 times to make sure it didn't bind. the front most stud (the only one which isn't entirely clear) affords quite a bit of movement, so it really "feels" like its right at the *&^% drive shaft. That's why I'm thinking Bosunsmate may very well be on to something with this endcap. There was no "easy" movement to get to that 1 3/4" point.. it was all wedge and prybars including a wonderbar and hammering. I did inflict some pain onto the leg's fins but nothing structural. More TLC required to follow there!! no damage to the LU itself thankfully.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: War with lower unit

Yes working on the LU in the lounge is the way to operate!
When you said this " because even with the flywheel braced, my body weight (or much of it) will not push this sucker back in"-
You were turning the flywheel a touch to get any misaligned splines into alignment as well?
Those prop nuts/ bearing carrier things seem to come off with heat and a spanner with a long bar attached and a wedge/block positioned specificallly. Removing the pinion nut can be hard as its tight but at least you can see it.
If you did do it that way you could then see the endcap and try and wiggle the driveshaft loose.
I dont think you could with any ease put it back together in upside down if you didnt get the driveshaft out, but id enjoy reading such a post if you did

 

[Yesterday]

Re: War with lower unit

Hrnmmm No I wasn't in fact! Though there is like.. no real movement.. I can try that but I'm really quite confident it wont make a lick of difference. I'm certain I could persuade it back into place, but if only to have to spend another half a day getting it back to where it is now, I'm not sure my patience would hold out much.

Hmm did Iboats hickup?