HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

[DogDazed]

Hi guys, I was wondering if you might be able to help me. I purchased a 16' 1966 120hp slickcraft mercruiser I/O last summer. It had been in a barn for 10 years with no use (this is my first I/O. After I purchased it I gave it a tune up-ie. spark plugs, oil etc. It ran fine last summer(so I thought)but I went to take it out last week and it started making horrible noises when I turned the steering wheel after about an hour on the lake. I was told that water probably got through the bellows and hurt the u-joints and gimble bearing. When I went to drain the oil from the upper housing, it was filled with water instead of oil. I'm trying to remove the stern drive to get to the u-joints but I can't get it off, I've been able to remove it half way but it seems to be frozen. Any advice or tips to get it off or the best way to repair this would be greatly appreciated. <br />Thanks Trina

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

Are you sure the shifting linkage isnt hanging up ? If it is half way out the splines should be out of the coupler.

 

[DogDazed]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

I'm not sure, I will need to go check. The fellow I spoke to at the marina as well as the manual said that the shifter needs to be in a forward position when removing it. I will go take a look.

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

Your right it does need to be in forward. I replaced a alpha drive coupler 2 weekends ago, because of the slop in the shifter linkage it was hard coming off and going back on.

 

[DogDazed]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

Ok, I checked and I have it in forward gear and it's not budging. I got it to come out about 1/4" and it doesn't want to go any further. I have been trying to get this thing off for about 3 days now and it's driving me crazy.

 

[record hunter]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

it should pull off Go inside the boat with flashlight look down where shaft is have someone push and pull on drive you should be able to see shaft pulling away from motor .I had a hang up once and had to turn prop which rotated shaft and bearing while I was pulling on drive dont be afraid to give it a good pull

 

[record hunter]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

you might want to cut your bellows off that is thethere that would allow you to see alittle better. Turn the drive to one side and cut away as much as possible its tight but you can do it with some patients.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

Dogdazed, Here is a little how to for you:<br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/alpharemoval.htm <br />Good luck

 

[DogDazed]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

Thanks Moose Hootie,Record hunter and Blk-n-blu...Ok I tried your suggestions and that SOB just isn't budging. I spoke with another guy at the marina and he told me to position a 2x4 between the upper housing and the transom and to use the up trim to force it off..I tried it and it didn't work either. I'm about to take a sledge hammer to it. From the looks of it, I'd say it has probabaly never been removed in the last 37 years

 

[Trent]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

My bet is the shaft has got crud/corrosion on it and hanging on the gimble bearing. Push it back in and see if you can clean up the shaft with a dremal tool or somthing like that (if you have room). Spray some penatration oil on the shaft also. You dont want to know what the next step is..... So keep working with it.

 

[hoot]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

asking a dumb question here. are the trim cylinders disconnected from the outdrive?

 

[snowmon]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

Hi,<br />Take a good size crow bar to it. Don't be afraid to lean on it but be careful not to damage the drive surfaces that must mate to keep watertight. I've actually pulled an Alpha SS drive and the shaft was frozen to the gimbal bearing and the bearing came out with the drive. Wound up having to use a hydraulic press to remove the race from the shaft. Keep at it you'll get it.<br />Snowmon

 

[steve n carol]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

DOGDAZED, if your gonna pry...consider wood wedges. Also just strolled through ebay under 'mercruiser' there is a listing of an alpha 1 that stands out. Claims about 20 hrs on a rebuild, original owner. It's got a "plastic fin" attached, pics show it in a black tub. It's got a day left. about $326.00 so far???

 

[record hunter]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

did you look from the inside at the shaft did you cut away the bellows you can see in there after you cut that away get rid of the entire bellows and have clear view also have some patients you wont make it in the boating world if you do not get some patients slow down you will get it and you will be proud of the work you have acomplished good luck

 

[qystan]

Re: HELP- CAN'T REMOVE STERN DRIVE FOR U-JOINT/GIMBLE REPLACEMENT?

Dogdazed<br /><br />Don't get mad, slow down. Haste will cause damage and will cost you. Prybars may damage the housing.<br /><br />You have one other option. Remove the drive without the drive yokes.<br /><br />Take the top cover off the drive. Its the small square cover at the top of the drive held by 4 bi-hex screws.<br /><br />With that off, undo the nut that hold the drive shaft yoke. You shoudl be able to pull everything off leaving the aft yoke, u-joints and fwd yoke. That should give you room to see what is going on and options from there are pullers to get the bearing out with the yoke.