Suzuki 25HP 1997 - Water Pump Change Problems

[Aussie Brian]

Hi All,

I have attempted to replace the impeller / water pump on my 1997 25 HP Suzuki.
I have removed all 6 bolts to the lower unit casing, gear selection linkage, checked for any other possible bolts that are in the lower unit bolted through to the main 'leg', none there!
But for some reason I cannot remove the lower unit from the leg??? I can slightly seperate the two at the rear but that's it ! I have checked all relevant manuals but no info. there on what is possibly holding the two together.
Yes it may seem like an easy task for but for some reason I cannot seperate the two completely.
Do I have to place the gear-box into a particular gear to gain seperation? Yes, a previous water pump replacement has seen the use of a sealant around the lower unit to the leg which has all but seperated once is started to gain a little seperation.
Can anyone please give me a few suggestions???

Update - 16:52hrs: I have just read a post relating to the very identical motor and problem I am experiencing... The author of the post has since been advised that the only 3 things holding the lower unit onto the 'leg' are the 6 bolts, shift rod and gear shaft... The gear shaft appeared to be seized within the Power Head and proved very difficult to seperate.
Can anyone PLEASE confirm or deny this???

Thanks',
Brian.

[Aussie Brian]

Please help !!!!

[99yam40]

I hate to say it , but that was my thoughts also,
I just did not want to say you may have to cut shaft off to be able to get something on the shaft like penetrating oil, but that will be a last resort. This type of problem is a good reason to pull lower unit every year or two to replace water pump and grease shaft and bolts .
Some have used wedges evenly around lower unit to put a bind on the unit to finally break it loose, but it may mess up the mating surfaces

Might think of taking to a professional before messing things up to bad to see what they can do with it

[Aussie Brian]

Thank You very much for your feedback 99yam40 !

I too were thinking the same thing to take the motor to my mechanic.. he too said on the phone to just bring it down and don't mess about with it, even knowing I am more than capable to attemp such a job.

To anyone else reading this post that has come across the same problem... Don't try it yourself ! Unless you have a full workshop of tools available, Don't mess with it ! Take it to a Pro...

Thanks',
Brian.

[99yam40]

let us know what you come up with