OMC Cobra Outdrive won't come off!!

[auriem]

HI,

I'm running a 1987 4.3l 4v v6 GMC with a 1987 Cobra Sterndrive. After an inspection found a hole in the u-joint bellows I decided to take the outdrive off to replace the bellows, replace gaskets and grease the drive shaft.

After removing the 6 bolts and the rams the drive would not come off, after a lot of beer, sweat, and swearing i have come to the conclusion that the driveshaft is seized to the engine coupler and probably was never greased by the PO when the outdrive was removed or the outdrive hasn't been removed in years. Either way she's stuck hard and fast, I can pull the drive out a little but it sucks right back in just like it's attached to something rubbery. I made a video of what little i can see of the driveshaft inside the boat as I jump up and down on the outdrive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHYmIgxFYu0

My question is, How do I get this outdrive off ???

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive won't come off!!

There is something naughty about that video!!!

Pull harder? It has to come off... Spray some slickem down in there.. Yet.. No mater what it has to come off the direction you are pulling.. Once you get her off.. Grease will help stop this problem...

Some folks use a block of wood between the drive and the gimble housing.. and slam the drive down on it..

All else fails.. Larger pry bar..

 

[Pete104]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive won't come off!!

The "snout" of the upper @ the u-joints actually gets hooked up to the bellows. Right now grease won't help. You need constnt pressure pulling backwards but you have 150lbs coming at you! So use caution! Slide whatever will fit thru any opening down low. If a qrtr inch fits, 3/8" should get in there too. You might work up to an inch, but it will come. Every time something larger gets thru the space, lean down on the *** end of the drive. DON"T pry on gasket surfaces!

 

[dubs283]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive won't come off!!

Some folks use a block of wood between the drive and the gimble housing.. and slam the drive down on it.

ouch!! no!!

i read that suggestion a lot and it makes me cringe - i have seen stuff break when poeple do that

put the block of wood between the front of the top cap and the gimbal ring and rotate the drive upwards, the block will "lever" the drive off - much safer and no slamming involved

 

[solar7647]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive won't come off!!

Is sifter in forward? If not slide drive back on put the shifter in forward and try again, I know mercruisers have to be in gear to pull off cause the shifter in the drive catches if it's not.

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive won't come off!!

Is sifter in forward? If not slide drive back on put the shifter in forward and try again, I know mercruisers have to be in gear to pull off cause the shifter in the drive catches if it's not.

Cobra will come off in neutral. I'm with the bellows hanging the way it's bouncing like that.
The coupler does not have that much slack-rubber, we hope!!!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive won't come off!!

Is sifter in forward? If not slide drive back on put the shifter in forward and try again.

Not on an OMC. Should be in neutral.

I also would not be slamming the drive around. Very likely that your input yoke is rusted into the gimbal bearing if there was water in the u-joint bellows.

I would first use the method where you use the tilt rams to help push the drive off.

 

[newguyovahea]

HI,

I'm running a 1987 4.3l 4v v6 GMC with a 1987 Cobra Sterndrive. After an inspection found a hole in the u-joint bellows I decided to take the outdrive off to replace the bellows, replace gaskets and grease the drive shaft.

After removing the 6 bolts and the rams the drive would not come off, after a lot of beer, sweat, and swearing i have come to the conclusion that the driveshaft is seized to the engine coupler and probably was never greased by the PO when the outdrive was removed or the outdrive hasn't been removed in years. Either way she's stuck hard and fast, I can pull the drive out a little but it sucks right back in just like it's attached to something rubbery. I made a video of what little i can see of the driveshaft inside the boat as I jump up and down on the outdrive.

My question is, How do I get this outdrive off ???

Hey, I know this is a decade old thread but I’m having the same problem on my 89’ four winns 190 freedom. What did you end up doing to get it off? Anyone else out there know of or have a good video for this?