Lower Unit Stuck Please Help!!

[sammattsma]

I have a 1986 mercury 50hp outboard motor in need of a water pump. The lower unit will not come off. I have tried prying it off. Does anyone have any suggestions??? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Lower Unit Stuck Please Help!!

Did you take the bolt out thats under the trim tab?

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Lower Unit Stuck Please Help!!

Sure hope you just missed a bolt. Had a MARINER around the same age. Wound up cutting a hole in the leg and cutting the shaft with a SAWZALL. Still could not get the shaft to seperate from the power head with it laying in the car port. If you get to the point that you are considering doing the same, forget it. If you buy another motor, make sure you can drop the leg before purchase. I learned a lesson the hard way. By all means good luck. FRED

 

[oldrock]

Re: Lower Unit Stuck Please Help!!

my 2001 50hp merc was a bit stubborn dropping the lower unit. I ended up using a rubber mallet to get it done.

 

[REN_IBOAT]

Re: Lower Unit Stuck Please Help!!

This is not from personal experience mind you, but I have been told that wear on the shaft sometimes "hook" the shaft to the crank splines. how about counter rotating the prop shaft "abruptly" (read: something with a mallet) to "break the seal"?
IMHO it must be a better solution than boring a hole in the lower leg ;-)

R

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: Lower Unit Stuck Please Help!!

My 3 cyl 90hp is a little stubborn also.
I used a 2 or 3 pound dead blow hammer to knock the LU loose.