How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

[jbjennings]

I'm trying to reseal my lower unit for my '55 7.5 hp evinrude. I can't figure out how to get the brass bushing out so I can replace the o-ring that seals the shift shaft. Is there a special tool required? If so, how can one get his hands on such a tool? I also need a tool to get the crankshaft seal out from under the flywheel of my 18 hp johnson. Where can these be had? Can a person make their own?
thanks,
JBJ

 

[grid]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

You need to find an OLD OMC dealer, or tech. I have these tools gathering dust on my wall, but used the seal remover Friday for the first time in 15 years. You can make your own; the bushing remover is easy to do, the seal remover is darn near impossible. You might try SEAWAY Marine in Seattle.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

Will try seaway marine, thanks. I was wondering, what do these tools look like and how do they work? How does that seal tool pull the seal out? It looks like quite a booger!
I would like to make my own bushing tool if I had some instruction. I have 4 1950's johnson/evinrudes and really like them, but all but 1 need the lower units resealed.
thanks again,
jbj

 

[samo_ott]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

The bushing remover is easy to make. Get a 5/16" steel rod about 14" long and taper one end down to 1/4" using a grinder, then just insert from the other side of the LU and tap out gently... it works great... I have never tried to remove the seal under my 18hp though so no idea there.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

Thanks for the info. I have to ask---it looks like the other side of the gear case where the bushing sits is too small to let an object slightly larger than the inside diameter of the bushing through to hit it and push it out. Am I wrong? I know you've probably done this many times but I'm worried I might ruin my gear case.
I hope I explained that where you could understand what I'm talking about. what I mean is--looking up from the inside of the gear case, the seat of the shift shaft bushing looks like it is just big enough for the shift shaft to go through, so I'm worried something slightly larger that would make contact with the bushing to push it out--wouldn't go through. Hopefully I'm incorrect.
Could you straighten me out?
thanks again,
jbj

 

[samo_ott]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

The rod is only 1/16" bigger than the taper. It works. At least on others around that vintage it does, I have not tried that exact engine. Just be gentle and it'll fit snugly. Do it slowly. I used a rod out of our old baby crib when the kid's a lot older I can tell him how he contributed to making me a tool!

 

[wbeaton]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

I've resealed a few of those lower units. I don't have the OMC tools. I pulled the shift shaft out and tapped threads into the bushing. Then I threaded a bolt into the bushing and pulled the bolt out. There are lots of different ways to extract the bolt. I just placed a board with a hole in it across the top of the lower unit. Then I put a washer on the bolt, put the bolt through the hole and threaded it into the bushing. As the bolt threads into the bushing it should pull the bushing straight up and out. You may have to add shims under the board to get it at the right starting height. For the driveshaft bearing I just use a standard claw type bearing puller. But be extra careful and make sure the bearing housing is securely in place. You don't want to break that thing. That housing is hard to come by. I know because I had to replace one that got damaged by some gearcase trauma.

As for the crankshaft seal, I can't help you. I've never attemped to replace one on an 18hp.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

Thanks,guys.... I thought about tapping that bushing myself, but was scared to. After thinking about wbeaton's response I now realize that it's the O-ring that's doing the sealing anyway, so a few threads shouldn't hurt, right? I'm going to try the 5/16 to 1/4 rod trick, first, and see if I'm capable of making it because I'll probably need it again when resealing my two 18 hp's. They both leak a little, too, and I'd like to have myself a quickie tool to get that bushing out. I'll post you when I find which method is the easiest for the "average Joe" like myself.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

Success!
I used Wbeaton's thread tapping method because I was plumb frightened of using my pitiful skills at grinding down the 5/16 to 1/4. I only had to tap(how do you spell that) about 3 1/2 threads which was about halfway down the bushing. I'm thinking that should leave enough bushing to guide the shift shaft, right? I used a board with a 5/16 hole, several washers and it worked perfectly. I may talk to a machinist buddy of mine and get him to make me a proper tool like mentioned above so it'll look a little better and be proper, but I feel confident she's fixed, at least. --Will post you again after a few long runs to tell you how my sealing job went in total. I appreciate you guys for taking the time to give me some of your knowledge, and will pass it on if I ever get the chance.
thanks again,
JBJ

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: How to get shift shaft bushing out of 7.5

I just did my LU re-seal a few weeks ago and used the 5/16" tapping method described above with only one variation. Instead of using the piece of wood to pull out the bushing, I used a 1/4" rod and tapped on the bolt that was threaded into my bushing, from the underside. It came out fine and I had no problem re-sealing with the new threads in the bushing.

Good luck