How do I take the drive shaft out of a Mercury 402 40 hp

[pckeen]

I'm disassembling a damaged lower unit from a Mercury 402 to extract the gears and internal components (which appear to be in perfect condition). I've taken the propeller shaft out. How do I take off the drive shaft?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: How do I take the drive shaft out of a Mercury 402 40 hp

Remove the water pump housing,impeller and base, install a 5/8 socket on pinion nut, take a pipe wrench in rag to middle of shaft and spin loose. I your going to reinstall these in a different housing make sure you shim it or gears will be trash in just a few outtings...

 

[pckeen]

Re: How do I take the drive shaft out of a Mercury 402 40 hp

Thanks. Got it.

There was a nut below the pinion gear - I had to take that off with an 11/16 wrench, while holding the drive shaft still with another 11/16 wrench. Then...had to pull hard to free the pinion gear from the drive shaft.