Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

[sealyons]

I have a 1985 Mercruiser with an alpha drive that has a frozen hinge pin on the stbd side. I have tried to remove it with a hinge pine removal tool and broke it and an allen wrench, with heat, to no avail. I have tried to remove it with the drive on. Should I remove the drive before attempting to remove the pin or can it be done with the drive on? Any other suggestions?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

I have only done it once and it was with drive off and I used a little more heat than just propane and it came right off.Charlie

 

[sealyons]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

Can't it be damaged by overheating? I was cautioned about overheating it!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

Some of the surrounding areas are rubber like the bellows and shift cable,so yes you can overheat it but you may want to replace all that stuff anyway.Charlie

 

[hoot]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

there is a spray product somewhere that can freeze the bolt. you could try heating up the housing and spraying the bolt head and see if that will break it loose. maybe an electronics store has the stuff.

 

[tommays]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

i think that they use red locktite on the treads or something like it<br /><br />most permantent locktite needs about 250 deg F to come lose in combition with what every mother nature did you need to get it pretty hot or your just going to break tools or round out the pin to the point it will have to be drilled out<br /><br />tommays

 

[sealyons]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

Do you think that regular propane will get it hot enough or should I go with something else? I don't want to fry everything in the transom assy.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

I would start with propane but you will probably have to go hotter.Give it a shot,you never know,start with the propane and you can always go hotter.Charlie

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

Aluminum Melts at 660*..............<br /><br />I don't Think propane will get a piece that big, that Hot.............<br />You Should be pretty safe........

 

[sealyons]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

I'll try it. Does Torx make a drive big enough to fit? I do not feel comfortable using an allen wrench for fear of stripping the pin & I already broke 1 hinge pine tool.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Mercruiser Hinge Pin Replacement

ONLY use a torx or you will be sorry.They make them in all sizes including what you need.Charlie