Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

[adriancooke]

Can anyone give me step by step instructions on how to remove the drive shaft? I know it is a two piece and have been told that I do not need to take the whole gear case apart to switch from a 25 inch drive shaft to a 20. I am just having some trouble understanding where it disconnects from and how it can be done without having to spend money at a mechanic. Please let me know if anyone has any information that they could lend to me.

 

[muskrat]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

I would get a service manual you will need it..

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Yes and no.
You may 'force' the upper out to switch, but that will most likely ruin the keeper down in the lower. The result will be that the new drive shaft will not lock into the lower.
The upper driveshaft may then be able to 'move' up and down ruining the waterpump/impeller.

 

[adriancooke]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Several people I have spoken with including the person I purchased the new lower unit from have said it is an easy process and the person I got it from said he could do it for me for one hour of labor but said it only takes around 30 minutes to do. I know it is a two piece drive shaft and I have been told using a puller can remove the upper drive shaft but several people have told me I have to pretty much disassemble the lower unit to get the drive shaft off. I am just trying to figure out how I can pull the upper from both units to switch without having to take a bunch of things apart. I have also been quoted from 300 dollars to 135 to 70 plus fuel to drive back to the place I got it. Thanks everyone

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Using the factory shaft -pulling tool and plate, removing the driveshaftshaft is a 5 minute job with the water pump already removed.

Keep in mind that many shops have either a 1/2 hr or 1 hour minimum labor charge.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

I have yet to see a drive shaft pulled without breaking/ruining the tabs on the retainer.
Yes, the way to do if you are switching from a 'broken' gearcase to a new, but pulling a 25" shaft and replace it with a 20" shaft in the same gearcase is a different story.
If your dealer says it is the way to do, please go on. Just confirm BY YOURSELF that th 20" driveshaft may NOT be pulled out again, but locks in place!!!
Do not just take the dealers word for it.
It is all about part #55 in below link:
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/B...NDARD ROTATION - "F" Suffix Models/parts.html

 

[adriancooke]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Is there any way to make a puller at home or does anyone know where I could get one?

 

[adriancooke]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

If I was able to remove the drive shaft myself and something happened to the retainer clip could I buy a replacement to use on the shaft?

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Like this:

 

[boobie]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

The keeper that was put in the lower d/s was orginally designed for manfacturing purposes. If some one picked up the g/c with the d/s in it it would not fall out and bust his foot. OMC built these 2 piece d/s g/c's to cover different shaft lengths for mtrs with the same h/p and gear ratios. If you think about it, if the keeper is NOT there, don't pick it up by the d/s after you have it all assemble with the water pump and all. Actually when you put it back in the power head the crankshaft keeps it from moving up and down and keeps it in alignment.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

The keeper that was put in the lower d/s was orginally designed for manfacturing purposes. If some one picked up the g/c with the d/s in it it would not fall out and bust his foot. OMC built these 2 piece d/s g/c's to cover different shaft lengths for mtrs with the same h/p and gear ratios. If you think about it, if the keeper is NOT there, don't pick it up by the d/s after you have it all assemble with the water pump and all. Actually when you put it back in the power head the crankshaft keeps it from moving up and down and keeps it in alignment.

The only part sensible in the above:
They built it this way for price reason!!
Cheaper to build 'one fits all' than multiple versions with different shafts.
Keeps production cost down.
Keeps storage costs down.
Keeps shipping costs down.
But to 'protect' some idiot carrying it around in the shaft
If for pure production reason it would not even be listed as spare part!!!!!

 

[boobie]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

I happen to have been working for OMC at the time when these two piece D/S's came out and the information I posted was obtained from Engineering.

 

[adriancooke]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Thank you for your replies. All I need now is to find someone local that will do it for cheap or find a puller or maybe make one. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make a home made one? Thanks alot

 

[daselbee]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Here's the way I get them out, take it or leave it.

Find some sort of material to protect the driveshaft, like a workglove...something heavy.
Wrap the material on the driveshaft in the indented place that starts about 3 inches from the crank end (splined).

Clamp a large vise grip tightly on the material, and the shaft. The material is just to protect the shaft from the vise grip teeth. And, you should be clamping in that reduced diameter area of the shaft anyway. Now, using a large hammer, whack the underside of the vise grip, close to the driveshaft. You are essentially doing the same thing a slide hammer would do.

Shaft pops right out, but as haffiman has already warned....the keeper will be bent, and will not retain the new driveshaft. It will slide right in and out.

I have not seen any detrimental effects of running a lower unit with the keeper bent.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

One time we had a gearcase we ran on several different motors and changed the upper shaft several times in the process. The keeper always held, never had an issue. Although if it would not have held we wouldn't worry about it. Once the water pump is on the shaft isn't going anywhere. And it sure isn't going anywhere once the gearcase is back on the midsection.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

One time we had a gearcase we ran on several different motors and changed the upper shaft several times in the process. The keeper always held, never had an issue. Although if it would not have held we wouldn't worry about it. Once the water pump is on the shaft isn't going anywhere. And it sure isn't going anywhere once the gearcase is back on the midsection.

+1 Dhadley.....
I've removed dozens and never had a problem.....

 

[adriancooke]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Thank you for the clarification. I was going to try to use a vise grip earlier today but I could not find mine so tomorrow I will give it a try tomorrow when I have some free time. Thanks for all of your help, I love this website for real. This is the first boat I have owned in about 8 years and things have changed so much since then and now info is so readily available it makes it easier to work on the engine myself.

 

[adriancooke]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

I have been trying the method with the vise grip and neither of the drive shafts are budging. I have a vise clamp that was a cheapy and it is getting pretty beat up in the process with no progress on the d/s. any ideas except buying a better quality vise grip? Thanks

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

I have one in my hand right now...(upper DS with keeper)

it looks to be an easy one way application and a miserable way the other way..

looking at and thinking about someone pulling upwards.....

I am thinking the roll pins might give first or the stamped keeper could fold in on itslef...either way you dont know if you have distorted manged pieces left down inside the lower DS... that could give you problems when you install any upper DS from then on...

bob

 

[adriancooke]

Re: Steps to remove drive shaft from 1999 v6 lower unit

Thanks bob, I have gone through two pairs of inexpensive vise grips, I have yet to spend 15-20 for a pair of vise grip brand but I am going to try a pair of channel locks with me holding them and then just keep brainstorming. I am sure I will eventually get it and hopefully it the gear case of the new one will not be messed up, I dont care about the old gear case as it has holes in it which is why I am replacing it in the first place.