Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

So I have a torn shift cable bellows that needs replacing. While I was messing with the drive to replace ALL of the bellows I thought I would do the impeller as well. Now because I such a smart fellow I decided to remove the lower half to access the impeller and just leave it off while pulling the upper (to replace the bellows) to save some weight on my back. So I have removed the lower half, the trim actuators and all 6 nuts on the upper. The gear shift lever is all the way fwd at the helm. As I understand things it should just slide off at this point but it won?t. The drive will come out about 1/8" but no more. I also tried with the gear shift lever in neutral and reverse with no luck. I have tried to gently pry as well with no luck.

So here is my question. Do I have to have the lower half attached to remove the upper half? If not what am I missing here?

1995 Sea Ray
5.0 Mercruiser
Alpha One gen II out drive

Thanks for any help,

Chris

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

Chris- Just from my experience you dont need to reinstall the lower.

I wouldnt try the prying thing as it may mar up your gasket sealing surface. Try knockin it with a big rubber mallet.... up and down and side to side.... Lift the drive up and let it slam down to knock it loose

If that dont work you can try attaching the rams back on and pushing the drive off with the rams. I have never done this, just read about it here on iboats.

Good luck!

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

On the Gen II there is no intermediate shift shaft, so you don't even need to put it in forward gear, if the lower is already off... It should just slide off like in my video...

It sounds like the 'o' rings on the yoke might be stuck in the gimbal bearing... I would try lifting the drive a little and banging it down.. Often that it enough to loosen them...

Chris......

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

Its been a while but on Alphas, don't you have to let go of the shift cable at the engine before pulling the upper drive?

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

makonnen said:

Its been a while but on Alphas, don't you have to let go of the shift cable at the engine before pulling the upper drive?

Click to expand...

That's Bravos...

Here's my Alpha drive removal video -> http://youtu.be/w3O63YTOhn8

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

You might have to pop it with the trim rams as suggested . . . my take would be an engine alignment issue is causing a firm grip on the drive shaft. So, it would be a good idea to do an engine alignment check before you put things back together.

If the engine proves to be seriously out of alignment, check the condition of the engine mount stringers.

(actually not a dumb question at all)

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

Sorry I have taken so long to get back to ya'll but bad weather kept me away from my boat for a couple of days. So I still can't get the upper half to budge. With all 6 nuts removed it still will only pull out 1/8" - 1/4". I have tried using the trim rams with no effect. I have raised and dropped the drive more times than I care to think about. I have wiggled and giggled till I was blue in the face. I also turned the motor a bit all with no luck.

So this is what I am thinking. The engine is way out of alignment and binding badly on the outdrive shaft. I guessing that the little movement in the drive that I do have can be attributed to a little play in the gears.

So what do ya'll think? do I need to loosen or remove the motor mount bolts? or is that likely to help at all? And if I do that am I opening up a bigger can of worms than I want to deal with? I really don't want to take it to a marina mechanic but if they have some magic tool that I don't to get the job done I might have to bite the bullet.

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

achris said:

That's Bravos...

Here's my Alpha drive removal video -> http://youtu.be/w3O63YTOhn8

Click to expand...

Chris thanks for the video. I sure my outdrive would just slide out like that! You made it look easy.

Chris

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

Do you have a greaseable coupler? Somtimes pumping grease in at a rapid rate can help push the drive shaft out. Just a suggestion. It has worked for me before.

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

I have a regular grease gun. Is that the same thing?

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

Forward, forward, forward! Do not try to pull the driveshaft housing (upper) in any gear other than forward.

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

Fallproof is talking about puting grease in your coupler.... Threre is a grease fitting inside the boat just behind your motor on the drive coupler shaft..... And yes you can use a grease gun if it has a flexible hose... Or one of those small guns....... Bump the motor over till the fitting is on top, then grease away.

He is saying to pump alota grease in that fitting and it might help push the drive shaft out. I would say your gimble bearing is rusted up and holding it.

Do ya try hitting side to side on the drive while the rams were pushing. Ya may need a helper with this one.

Hope you can get it off. Good Luck!

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

Well the grease didn't help either. Thought about hooking my tractor to it and giving a little tug but quickly came to my senses. I guess I will have to give up and take it to the shop and let them pull the outdrive, at least that way if they pull the transom off in the process they will have to fix it.

Bummer!

Thanks for all the help.
Chris

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

That is a Bummer Chris!

Did ya try pulling it back in with the 6 bolts? Might have a bunch of rust on the shaft and it is binding it.

This might break it free... pull it up and then try to pull back off.

Trying to save ya some money.. but if it won't come off then i geuss it's what your gona have to do.

Good Luck!

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

I am no expert but it's my understanding you need to put a 2x4 between the upper and the transom housing so the rams push the drive off instead if lifting it. You did not mention that you did this. Saw a couple of post about the same issue a few month ago. Hope this helps.

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

+1to 2x4 and rams method

Re: Dumb outdrive removal question of the day

Pull the motor! Then youll know if it was the coupler or gimble! If coupler, motor wont pull. If gimble, at least you can get to it to spray it, and beat on the ujoint shaft. You could also try wiggling the motor a lil bit to see if that helps.