Lower unit oil screws stuck

zach103

Commander
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Mar 11, 2008
Messages
2,233
Thats pretty much the deal.. Both the top and bottom srcrews for the lower unit oil are stuck .. what can i do to move them
 

junior1113

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jan 29, 2009
Messages
763
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

do you have one of those huge flathead screw drivers or i would try that or an impact driver with a large flathead attachment before trying to appempt to tap them out
 

boat1010

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
781
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

I second both of the ideas. Flathead screwdriver with lots of pressure toward the screw. And the impact driver works very well also. Good luck..
 

zach103

Commander
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Mar 11, 2008
Messages
2,233
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

i tried the regular big flathead screwdriver thats how i usually get them out.. .. my boss has the impact one.. ill borrow it tomor .. he said i could try heating them up.. but i wanted o ask you guys about that first..
 

tx1961whaler

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
5,197
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

Nah, don't heat it up. There is a nylon gasket or rubber o-ring under there. Makes for a big mess. Impact driver is the best bet.
 

wbeaton

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Jul 30, 2006
Messages
2,332
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

Impact driver with the proper size screwhead. Don't heat it. There's oil in there.
 

F_R

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Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

What everybody says. Use a hand-impact screwdriver. They aren't stuck, just tight. They are supposed to be tight. The threads are bathed in oil so they are not corroded in place....or if they are, it is full of water and you have a lot more problems than just getting the screws out.
 

mars bar

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Messages
395
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

The good ole 4 way tire wrench usually has a nice big flat head driver on one end providing plenty of torque.
 

zach103

Commander
Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Messages
2,233
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

a buddy of ours fixed something in the lower unit last summer so i know if there was water he would have told us.. . ill try and get the impact tomorrow
 

Fl_Richard

Lieutenant
Joined
Jan 21, 2005
Messages
1,428
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

I've successfully used a less than proper size screwdriver angled in the threads and a hammer and drove the screw in the proper direction. It does mess up the threads a bit but if your careful it will help.

Good luck! Dont forget to replace the nylon washers. They are a one time use item.
 

Mark_VTfisherman

Lieutenant
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
1,489
Re: Lower unit oil screws stuck

What everybody says. Use a hand-impact screwdriver. They aren't stuck, just tight. They are supposed to be tight.

And you don't have to beat the thing like a fence post either- it will come out.

Something you might want to try first is this: I have a very large Klein screwdriver that I re-ground the end on. The end is nearly as wide as the plug slot. I made it hollow-ground like a gunsmith's screw driver- the parallel sides don't tend to cam out like tapered sides do. I was careful to not heat it; took my time and cooled in water before it even showed any signs of getting hot. That keeps the temper.

The nice thing about the Klein is that it has a hex-shaped section near the handle that you can put a box end wrench on. That screwdriver has saved me on so many things, but worked perfectly for my old Johnson lower unit screws. That method or the impact driver will work. Don't beat on the plug unless it is a last resort and you already have replacement parts.
 
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