Alpha 1 Gen 2 Lower Unit Removal

[chappy190]

New here to the forum. Got to say, lots of great advice on here.

I'm changing the impeller for the first time on an alpha1 gen 2. Does the drive have to be in a certain position (all the way up or down or in between) to remove the lower unit? Or can it be at about a 45 degree angle? That seems easiest with it being on a trailer.

Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 Lower Unit Removal

The best thing for a first timer to do is have the complete drive off the boat. Then change the impeller, check the ujoint bellows, the ujoints, gimbal bearing and the alighment. While the drive is off, remove the upper and fix the pump. Then it's a lot easier to put the upper back down on the lower and line up the shaft, the water tube and the shift mechanism at the same time.

Here is a link to the online OEM manual in case you don't have one.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[chappy190]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 Lower Unit Removal

All of the above has been done within in last year by the dealership except change the impeller. They didn't seperate the upper and lower halves. This boat is only 3 years old. So it seems like alot of unnecessary work and parts to remove the whole outdrive when just the lower unit needs to come off.

Thanks for the link to the manual. Do you have to have a water pump face setting tool or can you fashion one of your own, or just carefully push the seal down with you fingers?

 

[chappy190]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 Lower Unit Removal

Oh, before it gets asked, the impeller is getting changed now because it is going on a lift in a slip a ways away and it would be a pain if the thing failed in the middle of the summer. This way I won't have to worry about trailering the boat back to the house for a few seasons.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 Lower Unit Removal

chappy190, Having done it both ways, Dons spot on. Pulling the entire drive consist of removing 6 fasteners and one end of the tilt rams. No big deal, and it makes the impeller job sooooooo much easier.