I am unable to get the lower unit to reattach. I'm about 3/8" from it seating but can't get it to go the rest of the way. Any suggestions on how to do this?
Re: 175 mercury water pump replacement - installing lower unit
I made sure that there was not a gob of grease on top of the driveshaft per the manual on my first attempt. The boat is in forward per the manual. When the lower unit is off will the prop spin freely?
Re: 175 mercury water pump replacement - installing lower unit
If you took the lower unit off with it being in forward and now with the lower unit off the lower unit should still be in forward,meaning the driveshaft will rotate when rotating the prop.If you are rotating the prop and the driveshaft in not rotating you are in neutral.
Re: 175 mercury water pump replacement - installing lower unit
I finally got it on; I was in forward and asked my wife to shift it toward neutral and that allowed it to slide up that last 3/8". I rotated the fly wheel and shifted into forward, neutral and reverse and it is aligned correctly.
Re: 175 mercury water pump replacement - installing lower unit
Get both the lower unit and the engine in neutral. Try to push up the lower unit until it won't go any further, then push the gearshift into forward. It'll usually slide on up when you kick it in gear.