Alpha 1 Drive shaft

[Eastboundndown]

Sooo I’m no boat mechanic but I have pulled off about a half dozen mercruiser outdrives and never once.... until now ran in to an issue where the driveshaft Would not release(I had to hammer the nut off with a punch to remove unit) I tried everything I could think of today to pull it out and it hasn’t budged.. feels like it’s welded in there... Anyone have any ideas except pull the motor forward because I literally probably don’t have 4” of room in compartment.. Anyone ever have the misfortune of running into this please help a brother out. Thx

 

[achris]

..(I had to hammer the nut off with a punch to remove unit)..

You pulled the top off the housing and unwound the nut on the end of the yoke? You then pull the drive off, leaving the yoke and unis in the bell housing?

Well, somehow you need to get all that back on because, when the yoke is stuck in the gimbal bearing, having the drive all assembled is the easiest way to remove it... But, now you've done that. :noidea:

I'd be looking at 'somehow' hooking up a slide hammer and just pounding it out.... Kiss the unis bye-good. And when you go to reassembly it all, you're going to need to reset the rolling torque and preloads.

Chris.......

 

[Eastboundndown]

You pulled the top off the housing and unwound the nut on the end of the yoke? You then pull the drive off, leaving the yoke and unis in the bell housing?

Well, somehow you need to get all that back on because, when the yoke is stuck in the gimbal bearing, having the drive all assembled is the easiest way to remove it... But, now you've done that. :noidea:

I'd be looking at 'somehow' hooking up a slide hammer and just pounding it out.... Kiss the unis bye-good. And when you go to reassembly it all, you're going to need to reset the rolling torque and preloads.

Chris.......

Chris thx for the input. The outdrive WOULD not come out. I was prying and pulling on it like an animal.... never seen anything like it. Guessing thi gimbal bearing is frozen to it. New boat to me but I’m guessing from the beach I found in the bellows around the u joints that a combo of rust and heat may have permanently bonded the bearing to shaft.. I have a rebuilt unit to install but I need to get this stupid thing out. I ran a piece of chain through 1st u joint knuckle and attached that to a come along attached to a tree that happened to be close by and I cant even ratchet it anymore and this thing hasn’t budged! Never ran into anything like this.

 

[kenny nunez]

Try removing the bell housing which will give more working room. You may need a to heat the outer area of the gimbal housing which will allow the gimbal bearing to pull out with the shaft.
Hopefully the drive shaft is not frozen in the drive coupler causing the problem which will be a whole new can of worms.

 

[Eastboundndown]

Try removing the bell housing which will give more working room. You may need a to heat the outer area of the gimbal housing which will allow the gimbal bearing to pull out with the shaft.
Hopefully the drive shaft is not frozen in the drive coupler causing the problem which will be a whole new can of worms.

Thx Kenny, I was thinking that was probably my next move. I soaked it with pb blaster and gonna let it sit overnight. I’m hoping it might loosen it up enough come tomorrow but if not then the housing it is. I was thinking of maybe cutting the shaft between the engine and gimbal and then at least I’ll know for sure where the problem is. Any thoughts about that? Thx

 

[Bondo]

I was thinking of maybe cutting the shaft between the engine and gimbal and then at least I’ll know for sure where the problem is. Any thoughts about that? Thx

Ayuh,...... Go for it,.... Get the motor outa the way, anyway,.....

 

[tpenfield]

I need to see some pictures of this . . . trying to visualize from the descriptions is making my head hurt

 

[Bt Doctur]

Too late to help you but for others cut some hardwood block at various lengths and insert between the top cap and the transom housing. Use the trailer feature to raise the drive forcing it off slowly. lower add a longer block and do it again. the drive and gimbal will easily walk itself off.

For you the easiest method is to cut the shaft behind the motor, remove the motor and drive the remains rearward with the bearing

 

[kenny nunez]

If it turns out that the shaft is frozen in the coupler then cutting the shaft Is your only option. Cutting torch and a water hose.

 

[Rivergator]

I may have the same issue. I was ready to pull my Alpha One on my 1988, but it won't budge. I came across this youtube video which looks promising. I will try it as soon as it stops raining. I probably will use a piece of wood instead of the extension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUnyTwkiTKY

 

[achris]

I may have the same issue. I was ready to pull my Alpha One on my 1988, but it won't budge. I came across this youtube video which looks promising. I will try it as soon as it stops raining. I probably will use a piece of wood instead of the extension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUnyTwkiTKY

Use a piece of timber, and the drive trim rams. What that guy is doing (in that video) is extremely dangerous!

Chris.....

 

[Eastboundndown]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the input and give you an update. So I pulled the u joints out so that we had some room between face of gimbal ring and the shaft, a buddy of mine that works in a machine shop made a piece of steel to go across gimbal. Drilled hole in center to attach a long threaded eyebolt on inside with a shackle connecting eye to driveshaft and washer and nut on outside. We tightened the bolt with a 1” pipe extension over ratchet handle for leverage until the steel started to flex in and still no movement on driveshaft. Out came the penetration sprays the 5lb sledge and the torch.. after about an hour long battle it finally broke free.