Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

I'm only trying to replace the impeller on my 9.9 and it has given me fits. I actually ordered the repair manual and the reason I've been having problems is that I've been trying to do this with the driveshaft attached to powerhead. SO, the manual explains removing the shift shaft very well. However, on my motor the driveshaft seems to be stuck in the powerhead. Manual does not really explain? Is there something else I have to do to loosen the driveshaft from the powerhead or is it just stuck? Is there a tool or tricks of the trade to "pull" the driveshaft from the powerhead?

Thanks for any help!

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

Serial number/year. Would be a big Help.

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

S/N 0A921259. I looked up the year the other day and I believe it is a 1985.

Thanks!

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

It is a 1986. Contacted Mercury Technical service 920-929-5040. They were very helpful. Confirmed that the driveshaft should not stay in the powerhead. He said he'd never seen this but had heard of this problem before. He said that he'd heard of hanging the motor upside down (padding underneath) barely off padding with rope tied around the driveshaft and dribbling WD40 or Lockease down the driveshaft in an attempt to loose the driveshaft from the powerhead. He said the lubricant along with the constant pressure should loose it within a couple days. Naturally, He then recommended lubing it properly before reassembly. My outboard is now hanging upside down in the garage. I'll post how this turns out?

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

How dare you post this without pics.

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

You got good info. although I would not use WD40.
Marvel OIL. Would be My first choice.
If will run down the shaft into the spline. use lots.

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

I wet it a couple times today with liquid wrench and shook it lightly when I walked by. Just now the engine plopped on the blankets and my driveshaft was left hanging from the rope. I'd have never thought of this. Worked great!!! Kudos to Mercury Technical Services. Thanks!

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

Way Cool would have liked to have seen that set-up!!

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

Should have taken a picture. At first I thought it would be difficult, but I just bolted a C-clamp to the I-beam in the garage and put an old pillow under the motor. I tied three half hitches in a rope around the driveshaft right over the notch in the shaft where the impeller key sits. Not sure if all motors have notch in the driveshaft, but if there weren't one I'm not sure how you'd keep the rope from sliding off?

Re: Driveshaft Stuck in Powerhead?

mebras said:

Naturally, He then recommended lubing it properly before reassembly. My outboard is now hanging upside down in the garage. I'll post how this turns out?

Click to expand...

On lubing, recommendations that I read in service manuals and comments on here from certified techs are that you do not want to blob a bunch of grease on the shaft as the grease can jam up into the joint and not allow the drive shaft to fully engage the crankshaft which will keep you from fully assembling your lower unit.....like it will go together ok, but there is this 1/8" gap between the LU and midsection sort of thing. It's been so long since I did one I forgot just what I used for lube but I do remember using lube of some sort.

Personally I wouldn't have a problem greasing it up good with a marine rated grease (WW has a good one for trailer wheel bearings, house brand), then wipe the grease off with a dry rag leaving a thin film of lube which the grease will do for you if you use a dry rag.

HTH,

Mark