115 Johnson Gearcase Question

I am tearing down the lower unit of my 98 115 Johnson. Things went just as the manual said they would up to a point. I removed the drive shaft, and the pinion gear then removed the shift rod and expected the prop shaft to slide right out. It doesn't, I can't pull it out. I don't want to force it unless I have to. I read in the manual where if the drain plugs aren't out it can hang up on them but that isn't the problem. I guess my first question is shouldn't the prop shaft just slide out easily at this point. Question number 2 is My gearcase has a dent in the front of it where I hit a dredge pipe it apears to be forward of the gears but I was wondering if maybe this dent might be causing the problem? Has anybody ever experienced this or is there some step I have missed?

Re: 115 Johnson Gearcase Question

Did you remove the propshaft bearing/seal carrier?

Re: 115 Johnson Gearcase Question

To get the driveshaft and pinion gear out, he would have to had removed the propshaft bearing carrier. Before removing the shiftshaft rod, make sure you put the gearcase in reverse. This should allow the propshaft and forward gear, along with the bearing housing,to be removed as a unit. A good tug on the propshaft should dislodge this unit from the gearcase.

Re: 115 Johnson Gearcase Question

You are correct Papasmurf I did remove the bearing carrier and reverse gear before I could remove the pinion gear and drive shaft. I did push the shift rod all the way down to reverse then removed the shift rod, it didn't help. I think the piece that the shift rod screws into is the part that is stuck. The prop shaft, clutch dog and forward gear seem to be loose, I am asuming that assembly the shift rod screws into comes out with the propshaft and it won't budge.