Filling gear housing - 1990 Force L-Drive

[bkgibson]

i have a 1990 Force 120hp L-drive (please hold your nasty comments, I've heard most of them) an need suggestions on filling the gear housing. the shop manual shows removing 3 screws, and washers, the fill, vent and drain screws. these seem to be impossible to remove, even with a hand held impact tool. We've sprayed with liquid wrench, and allowed to penetrate for couple of days. Attempted removal with large screwdriver, screwdriver bit on ratchet, and impact tool.Because of the reputation of the L-drive, we make every attempt to keep the lubrication at the proper levels to extend the life of the unit. thanx

[Hooty]

Evidently, they've been in there for a while. You might try a little heat but be careful. If you overheat it, you run the risk of blowing the seals out. On the other hand, if ya can't get grease in it, it's not much good anyway.c/6Hooty

[bkgibson]

Thanks for all your help. I had so many replies to my question I didn't know which solution to choose from. Hooty, thank you, heat was one of the solutions we had thought of, but were holding off on that one as a last resort.With a little help from a couple of parts guys at the local marine parts supplier, brake fluid, we were able to remove the plugs and change the gear housing fluid.Boat all better now

[roscoe]

clap ! Clap! Clap! Yeah!!

[mantis80]

Good thing some maintenance items are basic, because my local bayliner dealer won't touch my Force L-Drive! That is okay, I would rather do it myself correctly than pay someone $$$ I don't have to fix it.