Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

[Browner01]

I'm in the process of changing my outdrive. My current one sheared some gears. I removed the lower unit with no problems. I have the six mounting nuts removed from the upper and it is separated about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch from the gimbal bell housing. But that is as far as it goes! I can't get it to slide out any further. I tried greasing the gimbal bearing and even bumped the starter, still no budge. Yes, I did disconnect the rams! It acts like the shaft is stuck. It will move a bit, but won't pop. Has anyone else had this problem? If so how did you get it off? I'm a little reserved about prying on the mating surfaces. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

The drive must be in forward gear in order to remove.

 

[Browner01]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Yes. I do have it in forward gear. A local marina told mr to put it in nuetral and try bumping the starter. But It is in forward when I attemp to get it to come off. All my other advice has been that the drive should slide off fairly easily. I can't figure out why this one isn't! Any one else?

 

[B_Eager]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Look down between the lower unit and the transom to see if the shifter lever is alingned to release (Forward gear) Get the boat positioned so that the out drive is all the way down, and get the hydrolic arms up out of the way. It should come off easy straight back. If it is not I would guess it is hold ing up due to corosion around the shifter arm on the unit.

 

[Browner01]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Yes the shifter is aligned in forward. I can see the upper shift foot is almost all the way off the slotted shift bushing in the upper part of the outdrive. So I don't think it is hanging on the shift mechanism. It appears to be sticking on the upper part where the driveshaft runs through. It always seems to be my luck that nothing goes right on my boat. I was under the impression that this is supposed to be a simple procedure!

 

[bobmoore]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

when you do get it off ,i would check the alinement of the motor ,it can be off causing pressure on the shaft.

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

well the drive shaft probally has not been greased i a long time and now the shaft is froze in the coupler the thing killing you is, it is in half when it is a whole you can pick it up and slam it down and it will come out. when drive comes of you will have to clean out old dried out grease from engine coupler(spray in carb cleaner thru gimbal brg to the coupler splines and run alignment tool in and out to scrap out old dried grease balls then blow dry with air) and check condition of coupler teeth should have flats on the top not sharp like a sproket. then do a alignment grease new drive with molly lube/spline grease do not use wheel brg grease.

 

[Browner01]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Thanks for the info guys. I've done the drop thing already and it still isn't budging. I'm going to shadetree it and back her up to a tree and try to put some tension on it with a comealong. Since the upper is trashed already I'm not worried about messing it up. If anyone else has any other advice feel free. If not I'll let everyone know what happens.

 

[denniz]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Hey browner01, Place a 2x4 between the top cap and the transom assembly. Then lift. itll come right off. I might have a used upper if you need one. email at denniz@hawkpci.net with year and hrsepower

 

[Browner01]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Ok. I FINALLY got it off! I had to remove upper cap on upper housing, then remove the nut holding the ujoint assemble and gear on to the shaft. Had to use a chisel and punch to drive it off. Once that came off I could remove the upper housing. The drive shaft was still locked in place. I believe it was the gimbal bear that had it froze up. Anyway, I then hooked my comealong up to it and was able to get a straight shot at removing it. after much cranking it finally shot out of the back of the boat. I'd take you up on that upper housing, Rod Knocking, but I've got a brand new complete outdrive on the way. Looks like the gimble bearing is going to need replacement also, as it has some rough spots in it. Whoever, put the drive on the boat before me tore it up pretty good, because my bell housing is looking pretty rough. Anyway, that is the BS I had to go through to get it off. Thanks for everyones input.

 

[denniz]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Thats unreal... You better check your engine alignment to. You dont have rotten or sunk front mounts do you? Did you get this on video? Id LOVE to see it.

 

[Browner01]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

 

[Browner01]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

I wish I did get that on video! It was quite a site! It popped out just as the first raindrops were hitting from a big storm moving in! BTW I did check the mounts, because a buddy of mine has that problem and is in the process of replacing a rotten mount. They are ok. As for alignment, that I'm going to check.

 

[Rayvin]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Hello Browner <br />i am having the same prob now i know how to get it out i have fought with this boat for a year and still havent got it in the water hehehe but i Will someday soon

 

[Browner01]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Rayvin, I'm glad at least someone can benefit from my misery! Good luck!

 

[bernieb]

Re: Can't get Alpha upper to come loose!

Hooray you got it.That's why the outdrive should be pulled at the end of every season and inspect the gimble bearing and grease the universals .Once salt water gets to the gimble bearing it won't last long.It took me a week to free the drive shaft from the gimble bearing I finally had to drill it out.