87' 20hp Evinrude lower unit shaft

Hi all,<br />I have a 87' 20hp Evinrude outboard that i have been tying to install a new lower unit seal and a impeller. I dropped the lower unit the lower unit and the shaft pulled out of the lower unit. I've been trying to reinstall the shaft to the lower unit gear, but its not engaging. Is there someone that know a trick to installing the shaft? I don't own a repair manuel, but it look like I'll need one.<br /><br />Also if anyone could give me a pointer on how to pull the gear housing from lower unit, so i can install new o-ring seal??<br /><br />I appreciate any info i could get from ya'll.<br />Thanks.

Re: 87' 20hp Evinrude lower unit shaft

Hey Cat....<br /><br />Don't see how the driveshaft can pull out if the impeller housing was still attached. Are we talking driveshaft or prop shaft?<br /><br />The driveshaft should just slip into the splines of the pinion gear....no tricks attached. If we are talking driveshaft, take a strong flashlight and look down the hole where the driveshaft goes. There are three sets of needle bearings in there. Possible a needle could have popped out down into the splines of the pinion gear.<br /><br />When you are talking "gear housing", do you mean the bearing carrier that is right in back of the prop?<br /><br />If so, there are two retaining bolts down inside the housing holding the carrier in place. Take a flashlight and look down inside and you will see them. I believe they are 3/8 heads. You will need to remove these bolts. I first try a slide hammer with a nut on the end. I catch the nut under the rim of the carrier and give the hammer a couple of smacks. Most times they pop lose.

Re: 87' 20hp Evinrude lower unit shaft

Hey OJB,<br /><br />I disconnected the impeller housing before I removed drive shaft. Once it was removed I tryed reinstalling shaft back into the pinion spline, but couldn't get propeller shaft to turn when the turning the drive shaft. The shaft looks like its seated properly, but its still not spinning? <br /><br />Yes, I'm talking about the gear housing, I'm not use to the actual names of some of these part. Thanks for the info on this topic. I picked up a slide hammer from a buddy of mine, but had no time to remove it yet. I'll reply later on how it goes.<br /><br />Thanks again for you help.

Re: 87' 20hp Evinrude lower unit shaft

Did you have the lower unit in gear when you were turning the driveshaft and the propshaft wouldn't spin?

Re: 87' 20hp Evinrude lower unit shaft

OB,<br /><br />I had the unit in gear and out of gear and I was not able to get it to spin, but I just removed the gear housing from the lower unit and before removing snap washer to enter the lower unit gears, I installed the shaft into the lower unit and it spun, but while holding the propshaft and spinning the main shaft it doesnt spin. This is while I'm holding the shifter rod down. I wondering if I broke something while removing the lower unit? <br /><br />Anyway i will be entering the gears tomorrow and I'll see hells going on. I'll probably need a lower unit before long.<br /><br />Thanks