[peterdale]

I have an old evinrude 4.5hp (suspect around 1975 model. I have removed the gearcasing to replace the impeller. When I removed the gearcase the drive shaft separated from the gearbox and not the crankshaft. I have since romoved the powerhead to get to the driveshaft at the crankcase end and cant find anything that should be stopping it from coming out of the crankcase housing. I have tried putting some force on the driveshaft to remove it, thinking that it may be corroded to the crank housing, but with no luck. Anybody got any ideas or ablke to let me know if there may be something holding the driveshaft into the crankcase housing?

[Joe Reeves]

PeterDale.... That problem is usually caused by someone not installing a "O" Ring at the top ridge just under the top splines (if that ridge exists) or/and not applying grease to the splines. This allows water (slight spray at times) to enter the splined area and results in rusting the driveshaft to the crankshaft splines.If this is the case, the only cure is to grab onto the driveshaft with vice grips at a non critical area and using a hammer etc, then carefully drive it out of the crankshaft. Good luck....

[sloopy]

you can also turn it upside down and let some wd 40 slide down the shaft put it out in the sun for 2 days and apply wd 40 ever 3 hours and it will come right out!