Stern Drive transom lower right bolt fell out

[dmiles452]

Is there a way to reinstall this bolt? It would come thru the transom down in the bowels behind the motor so I dont even know if I could see where it goes. Anyone else have this issue. This is on a 1989 mercruser outdrive.

 

[Bondo]

Is there a way to reinstall this bolt? It would come thru the transom down in the bowels behind the motor so I dont even know if I could see where it goes. Anyone else have this issue. This is on a 1989 mercruser outdrive.

Ayuh,..... Of course it's replaceable,..... Not easily though,....

It's an aluminum stud, with a nut, 'n washer inside the hull, 'n the acorn anode on the outside,....

Removing the motor is pretty much mandatory,.... What motor ya got,..??

 

[dmiles452]

1989 5.7 GM

 

[dubs283]

It'll be tough to access the inside area to properly reinstall the through bolt. As stated engine removal is necessary to complete the task efficiently

I would also be concerned as to why the bolt is missing. First thought is that the bolt itself corroded to the point of failure. Have seen this in the past on more than one occasion and in every case the transom was rotted

 

[nola mike]

I would also be concerned as to why the bolt is missing. First thought is that the bolt itself corroded to the point of failure. Have seen this in the past on more than one occasion and in every case the transom was rotted

This was the case in mine. Transom had localized rot along both of the bolts. I was able to clean out the rot, fill the holes with epoxy and redrill. Although if I did it again I'd fill with 5200 instead.

 

[dmiles452]

This was the case in mine. Transom had localized rot along both of the bolts. I was able to clean out the rot, fill the holes with epoxy and redrill. Although if I did it again I'd fill with 5200 instead.

In filling the holes with epoxy did you remove the engine?

 

[Scott Danforth]

you will be removing the motor to get access to the area as well as to make sure that you do not have a rotten transom.

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

In filling the holes with epoxy did you remove the engine?

the wooden rotten of the engine studs ... the wooded is cleaned it out rotten .. then the fiberglass ..

 

[nola mike]

In filling the holes with epoxy did you remove the engine?

Oh yeah, there's a 0% chance of even accessing those bolts with the engine in, never mind doing any kind of repair or inspection

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

you will be removing the motor to get access to the area as well as to make sure that you do not have a rotten transom.

Critical and yet accurate post. If that bolt breaks off, there was inertia and most likely a rotted transom. It happened to me when I struck a sand bar, I broke off that same lower bolt, and by that it broke a piece of the transom mount where that bolt broke off.
I had to remove everything mechanically and redo my transom.

 

[dmiles452]

wow!! pulling the engine was not something I had even considered. I have had this boat for two years and all I have done is throw money at it. Seemed like a reasonable deal for the year boat. The engine was just out before I bought it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

all I have done is throw money at it.

welcome to one of the most expensive hobbies on the planet. slightly more expensive than auto racing, just under airplane ownership and horse racing

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

B reak
O ut
A nother
T housand

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Is there a way to reinstall this bolt? It would come thru the transom down in the bowels behind the motor so I dont even know if I could see where it goes. Anyone else have this issue. This is on a 1989 mercruser outdrive.

Did the bolt fall out or break out? And is your transom mount in tact still.

 

[nola mike]

Did the bolt fall out or break out? And is your transom mount in tact still.

It doesn't matter. If it broke then it was corroded.

 

[nola mike]

welcome to one of the most expensive hobbies on the planet. slightly more expensive than auto racing, just under airplane ownership and horse racing

I mean, it can be done for cheap, depending on how you value your time. I'm going to add up all of my parts costs for the last 16 years and see what it ends up as.

 

[Scott06]

I mean, it can be done for cheap, depending on how you value your time. I'm going to add up all of my parts costs for the last 16 years and see what it ends up as.

Just make sure the wife is out of town when you do this … as far as boat ownership goes I think most folks on this site are doing on the cheap compared to just handing the keys to the marina. What ever number you come up with others who don’t spin their own wrenches ar 3-5 x more for same stuff.