mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

[Benny1963]

1981 150 evinrude had salt corrision prob broke two bolts in ex housing
got the rest out with heat disconnected shift shaft lower unit wont drop more than 1 eigth in all bolts are out unit moves side toside a little seems that main shaft is also stuck have tried prying with screw drivers wedged in both sides no luck hope that prying with screw driver hasnt hurt ex housing
havnt broke anything but screwdriver isnt freindly do they have a tool for removal of lower u have tryed tapping it with wood and prying doesnt look good was wanting to know what a shop would do have come to far to take it now they would prbaly rape me labor wise can i use two large pry bars dont want to hurt shaft crank or seal anything will help
thanks so much guys benny b

 

[Quick-man]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

I had a very difficult 1975 85 hp that did not want to let go. I kept at it and just yanked it off. It was stuck but I am not sure why. Be very careful with prying anything it should just come down. My 85 had an exhaust housing issue, not sure if that caused the hold up. After a day of thinking and pulling the LU, it finally popped free. Also don't let it hang where it could bend the driveshaft, that would cost you a few bucks to get that replaced. Another thought would bring it to a mechanic, since you broke 2 bolts already you may have more of that happening when you replace the pump, if that is your plan.

Since it moves side to side and it came down a bit I am assuming you got all bolts off including the one under the fin and the one just forward of it.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

have try prying on both sides of unit shking an pulling appears main shft stuck not worried about broken bolts i can handle that but stuck main shaft
has me stuck should i keep pulling and prying i dont think my mech is going to do any thing different how much prying can i do with out damaging shaft
is thjere any way to acess shaft at crank without pulling powerhead to free up shaft or am i going to have to pull powerhead and pry lower unit to get lower off thanks benny b and happy easter

 

[dsinger]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

I have never pullled a powerhead to free a driveshaft. Just have to keep at it. I have put the motor in a postiton where the lower unit is level with the ground and placed a floor jack under the skag with a piece of wood on the floor jack and would jack it up to apply a little up preasure. Let it down and beat on it with a mallet or hammer and wood. Then up with the jack and did that over and over just takes time. You would have to rig something to get the powerhead to pull up and stay level with the top of the drive shaft or it is just going to bind up and cause more problems.

 

[Walker]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

If you can't pull the LU because of the driveshaft frozen to the crank you aren't going to be able to pull the powerhead! In extreme cases you may have to get enought gap between the LU and the midsection and get in there and cut through the waterpump and the driveshaft. Then you can pull the powerhead and work on getting the shaft out.

 

[ezeke]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

The best thing that I have used is the wooden framing shims that they sell in lumber yards. You place them two deep around the openings and work pieces between them. That way you don't damage the metal.

Try to bring the whole thing down evenly so that you don't bend anything. Turn the flywheel frequently while you add shims.​

 

[Benny1963]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

screw vdrivers and pry bars have messed up mateing surfaces
but have not chiped either ex housing or lower housings.
will i need to file surfaces and apply any sealer or does it matter if its water tight thanks benny b

 

[ezeke]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

It doesn't really matter if the mating surfaces are not perfect and you can use a filler if there is a problem.

Are you sure that you have the shift rod free at the top?​

 

[dsinger]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

I guess that means you got it apart but I have also used wood shimmes at times.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

no havnt got it off yet but will keep yall informed
thanks amillion benny b

 

[F_R]

Re: mainshaft stuck lower unit wont drop

You said it drops 1/8" I doubt it's the drive shaft holding it. They don't stretch.