Mercruiser alpha one gen 2 upper unit won't come out- need to replace gimble bearing

[kippstakes]

Gimbal bearing seems to have gone bad, boot needs to come off. Boat is in forward gear (and I have tried in reverse gear also), all bolts are out, trim rams are off.

The upper unit easily breaks away from the gimbal housing at the flange (correct my terminology if wrong), but will ony pull away less than an inch before sticking in place. It seems to be binding on something inside, that's my guess anyway. Seems like a straight forward process, I can't imagine that the drive shaft is locked up, it almost has to be the shift linkage. Again, I have attempted this in forward and reverse gear positions with no success.
Any ideas??
Thank you

 

[Speakrdude]

If the shaft is frozen to the gimbal bearing (and the gimbal bearing, most likely, is pretty well stuck in there too) and the 2x4 trick wont work, simply drain fluid, remove the top cap (4 bolts) from the upper, take small chisel and remove the lock nut from the drive shaft. Once off, the drive will (typically) slide ride off. Then, its much easier to fabricate a puller with out the drive hanging there.
This is pretty much, the "after all else fails" approach. Although, I've done it so many times now, its a breeze.

 

[Bt Doctur]

make sure it is in full fwd gear, the shift shoes will be in a straight line bow to stern.reattach the rams and use wood spacers between the top of the drive and the transom.use trailer button carefully adding wood shims as required

 

[Bt Doctur]

make sure it is in full fwd gear, the shift shoes will be in a straight line bow to stern.reattach the rams and use wood spacers between the top of the drive and the transom.use trailer button carefully adding wood shims as required

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

I wonder if that shoe might be mangled from trying to pull it off in reverse. It would have been right sideways.

 

[kippstakes]

Thanks for the quick responses. I only pulled until I felt slight resistance, for that very reason. Shoe should be fine, hopefully.

 

[thumpar]

make sure it is in full fwd gear, the shift shoes will be in a straight line bow to stern.reattach the rams and use wood spacers between the top of the drive and the transom.use trailer button carefully adding wood shims as required

This. The gimbal bearing may come out with it.

 

[kippstakes]

Got er out. Was just REALLY stuck in there. The gimble bearing had basically corroded to the shaft, and came out with it thankfully. Bearing had to be taken off the shaft in pieces. WOW. Anyway, thanks for all the help! Much appreciated.