Evinrude 4 hp driveshaft frozen

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kickinback

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I have an 1997 4 hp evinrude. When attempting to replace the water pump, the drive shaft is frozen in the powerhead. I have purchased a service manual, but would appreciate steps / process to repair this problem as it it not directly addressed in manual. <br />Thanks in advance for any help/ advice :confused:
 

WillyBWright

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Re: Evinrude 4 hp driveshaft frozen

You'd be better off posting under the Johnson/Evinrude category.
 

R.Johnson

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Re: Evinrude 4 hp driveshaft frozen

I can't remember where I read this, possibly on this forum, and it sounded like a good Idea. Cut two hardwood wedges, and tap them in on both sides of the gear case. Keep in mind that this may force the impeller key through the top of the pump housing so it may help to turn the flywheel every little bit after loosening the wedges. Hopefully the drive shaft is'nt that badly rusted.
 

Chinewalker

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Re: Evinrude 4 hp driveshaft frozen

Hi KickinBack,<br /> Not 100% sure what's stuck. Did you try to remove the lower unit and it's stuck, or did you remove the lower unit, but the driveshaft stayed in the motor.? If the entire unit is stuck, then you can try R.J's suggestion. If the drivehshaft came out of the lower unit, then you may need to emply vice-grips or the like to yank out the drtiveshaft. It's possible that the splines may be damaged. In any case, if using vice-grips to pull on the shaft, take a look inside the unit to see where the bearing surfaces are so that you can avoid marring the driveshaft where it will ride on the bearings...<br />- Scott
 

kickinback

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Re: Evinrude 4 hp driveshaft frozen

Thanks for all the help. I have removed the lower unit, but the driveshaft stayed in the Powerhead. <br />I've since taken more time to review similiar problems, and now know that I simply need to pull the driveshaft out of the Powerhead by whatever will work while minimizing damage. So far, I've clamped the motor upside down & sprayed a ample amount of Liquid Wrench down the shaft. After allowing to soak for a day, I plan to clamp the shaft between two wood 2x4's & try to drive it out. Any/all other ideas will be appreciated.<br /> Kickin'Back
 

OBJ

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Re: Evinrude 4 hp driveshaft frozen

Kickinback....have a friend help you with this.<br /><br />Clamp the driveshaft in a vice with the motor pointing straight out. Put a chunk of wood against the midsection housing and give it a good smack with a heavy hammer. This might pop the drive shaft lose. The friend is to hold the motor up while you do the hammerin'. He can also go get beer..... :D :D
 

Solittle

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Re: Evinrude 4 hp driveshaft frozen

You should be able to pull the powerhead out with the driveshaft (I think) for easier access.
 
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I just had the same prob pulling my Johnson 4 hp apart, shaft stuck in the motor, l had this apart 18 months ago replaced the impeller and greased the spline before refitting (ironical the impeller was still OK and 22 years old, new 1 has lasted less than 2 years). The motor did has just overheated, hence why trying to pull apart now. Photo shows how l got it apart (after removing power head from housing), you need to remove the bottom bearing seal so the timber sits flush with the motor lower casing (18 mm hole thru wood and 13mm water hose over the shaft), then drive apart with some wedges. I had tried bashing it apart with the power head in place in the casing, but ended up damaging the lower end housing were the gearbox sits, but that shouldn't stop it from going. I should have done my second method in the photo first.
Photo wont load, so as above have wood slid down shaft, laying flat against the lower motor housing (put some cloth between wood and bearing so no debris goes into bearing), clamp the shaft in a vice by gripping the water hose that is slid down shaft. Leave enough room between the jaws of the vice and the block of wood to enable the wedges to be driven down either side of the shaft. Keep alternating hitting the wedges with a solid hammer , supporting the motor until the shaft comes out of the power head.
Now back to putting it together again.
 
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