Yamaha lower unit won't separate

[outraged]

1987 115 HP Yamaha. Purchased two years ago. I had lower unit off last year for water pump service, re-assembled with never sieze on all threads & grease on shaft, water tube & shift shaft. With all bolts removed unit only drops 3/8". I can twist it, rock it, but no luck. Seloc manual says keep in neutral. I don't want to pry on it at the risk of possible damage. Thanks.

 

[John from Madison CT]

Re: Yamaha lower unit won't separate

You will be asked this again and again, BUT are you sure you got all the bolts out?<br /><br />If you are sure, including the one under the zinc, then a little tapping with a rubber mallet and some slight leverage with a piece of wood or something that won't mar your aluminum should be fine.<br /><br />If you did that two years ago, I am very surprised if she's rusted stuck.<br /><br />john

 

[outraged]

Re: Yamaha lower unit won't separate

John, thanks for reply. All bolts are definetly out. I'm clear of dowels as well. Tomorrow I'll give it another try, a friend of mine suggested putting it in forward, although I'm pretty sure it came apart in neutral. It's got me puzzled, last year 6 of the 8 bolts snapped off during removal. This year I thought it would fall off like a loose tooth, you never know.

 

[hi-speed]

Re: Yamaha lower unit won't separate

I would first try driving wooden wedges in between foot and mid sectoin then roll it a few times if this doesn't work you can unbolt the powerhead as if you were going to take it off.<br />wegde the powerhead on one side only to create a slight angle then roll it a few times the foot should drop right out.

 

[outraged]

Re: Yamaha lower unit won't separate

Worked on it for two hours today with wooden wedges & prybars. I've got it to separate 3". I can see drive shaft splines between powerhead & mid section, soaked it down with Kroil. When I look up into the 3" separation I can see a rubber seal with snap ring holding around drive shaft in lower portion of midsection. Soaked that with Kroil. With two 2"X4" prying downward it barely moves. The mating surface of lower unit & midsection have some gouges. If I ever get this apart, can I re-assemble with form-a-gasket or is this overkill? Anyway I gave up on boat & dug-out snowblower for impending blizzard.