Re: Mercury 7.5 lower unit frozen/rusted on?
Hii Odie,<br /> Time to get physical with it. Start with brute force - a block of wood placed flat on the cavitation plate, with the corner of the block snug against the lower unit housing - you don't want to break the cav plate. Using a mallet, tap it downwards a few times, then switch to the other side. I suspect your driveshaft is rusted into the crankshaft - not uncommon on the older Mercs. If it's completely welded in there, you may be SOL, but sometimes it'll come out with some gentle persuasion.<br /><br /> If that doesn't work, you may have to pull the powerhead off - loosen all 6 bolts and lay the motor on it's tiller handle side (shift handles are breakable) on a thick blanket folded over a couple times. Pick the powerhead end up about a foot and drop it on the blanket. The sideways shock of hitting the ground sometimes loosens it up so you're not simply pulling straight out. It won't completely fall off because of the studs in the base of the powerhead. <br /><br />- Scott