Can't separate lower unit Alpha one

[jonny rotten]

Trying to replace water pump.
In forward gear
What I've done:
Remove rear Allen key bolt, remove zink, remove Allen key bolt under zink
Remove 2 nuts under the flange
Remove front nut by shifter
Loosen 2 side nuts
Hit all studs with PB Blaster hoping it would help

I removed the trim cylinders and gave the outdrive the "drop" Didn't separate
Tried to lightly tap down on a groove by where it should separate with a wide chisel. That made me nervous and stopped
Beat it all around with a rubber mallet. Didn't budge
Tried a screwdriver between where it should separate but couldn't get it in and didn't want to damage anything

Outdrive is not crusty and looks pretty good. Hasn't been separated in about 5 years but is trailered and not left in the water

Am I missing anything that I should have removed?
Whats my next step?
I don't want damage anything beating on it

 

[Bt Doctur]

use a 7/16 open end wrench above the side nuts. raising the nut against the wrench will force the unit apart

 

[Rick Stephens]

I’d have the drive off the boat and be doing this in a slot made to clamp to my work bench. 5 years, you need to service gimbal and u-joints and inspect elbows.

 

[jonny rotten]

I’d have the drive off the boat and be doing this in a slot made to clamp to my work bench. 5 years, you need to service gimbal and u-joints and inspect elbows.

I just replaced u joints bellows gimbal bearing and shifter cable. Hoping this comes apart. I've been reading it could be the death of the outdrive if I doesn't separate That might just be the end of the boat. I'm hoping to get a few more years out it

 

[jonny rotten]

use a 7/16 open end wrench above the side nuts. raising the nut against the wrench will force the unit apart

Is there any place I can apply heat while I have pressure on the nuts to make it pop. I'm thinking not because if something is seized its internal

 

[Searay205]

I had a similar situation on an alpha 1 gen 1. You didn't mention your model. On mine towards the front is a stud from the lower unit that goes up through the upper unit. Then a nut is installed. The stud which went from lower to upper over 5? years accumulated salt. I could not get it to budge after hours. I finally budged a little and deformed front of two housing and used a hacksaw blade to cut stud. I then drove stud half out of upper house mushrooming the tip. Never in my wildest dreams did I think salt could surround a bolt shank and not let it realease. I then carefully drilled the lower stud one size smaller and tapped. Made a new stud put back together and used silicone to seal the front gap i created. May used some JB weld also. Worked for another 15 years. I dam sure put grease on that stud and never had an issue again.

Injury to insult was brackish water trailered and washed every single time after use.

 

[jonny rotten]

I had a similar situation on an alpha 1 gen 1. You didn't mention your model. On mine towards the front is a stud from the lower unit that goes up through the upper unit. Then a nut is installed. The stud which went from lower to upper over 5? years accumulated salt. I could not get it to budge after hours. I finally budged a little and deformed front of two housing and used a hacksaw blade to cut stud. I then drove stud half out of upper house mushrooming the tip. Never in my wildest dreams did I think salt could surround a bolt shank and not let it realease. I then carefully drilled the lower stud one size smaller and tapped. Made a new stud put back together and used silicone to seal the front gap i created. May used some JB weld also. Worked for another 15 years. I dam sure put grease on that stud and never had an issue again.

Injury to insult was brackish water trailered and washed every single time after use.

Yes Gen one. There is a stud and nut in the front by the shift shaft. I got that one off.
Is that what your talking about?
I don't "think" there is another nut in that area?

 

[Searay205]

Mine was stuck on the stud the nut was attached to. The stud goes through a "cylinder" for lack of better term. salt got in there over the years and locked the stud in place. Once i got stud out i used a round file to clear hole which took zero effort. it was borderline unbelievable. Owned boat since new so I knew entire history.

i drove stud out after getting the units separated. stud was stuck in upper half.

 

[jonny rotten]

use a 7/16 open end wrench above the side nuts. raising the nut against the wrench will force the unit apart

Thank You Bt Doctur. It came apart with your advise

 

[Rick Stephens]

Thank You Bt Doctur. It came apart with your advise

Now that is awesome. BT comes through agin!