OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

[gailsbells]

Help my husband is driving me nuts.. he is trying to remove the lower half of the outdrive unit from a 1988 OMC I/O. He removed 6 bolts, but it will not come apart. He has me searching the internet for help. How does he get this apart. Thanks for your help.

 

[steelespike]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

First of all you should never attempt a repair without a manual.<br /> I dont know much about your out drive but<br /> all lower units have a shift rod or cannection<br />of some kind that has to be unhooked.<br /> Also sometimes the water tube or drive shaft sticks.A manual will help you at least understand how it is laid out and if there is any special procedure you need to get it apart.

 

[gailsbells]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

Thanks Spike! I especially enjoyed reading the part about a fool and a manual and a mechanic to my husband

 

[jee70611]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

GailsBells,<br /><br />What he needs to do is take the whole outdrive off to get the lower off. He should put the bolts that hold the lower to the upper back in to avoid damaging the shift rod. There are six nuts on the upper unit he needs to remove after he unbolts the trim rams from the upper unit. Be careful when removing the drive because it is heavy. It should pull straight off. Then, he should proceed to remove the bolts that hold the lower unit to the upper unit. There is one hidden up under the little rudder trim fin also. Once those bolts are removed, he will need to turn the shift rod so that it can clear the upper unit housing. Installation is the reverse of removal. You really should buy a manual. Get the dealer to order you a FACTORY service manual. They are worth their weight in gold. Plus, the OMC manuals are written in extreme detail so that it covers everything. Good Luck!! <br /><br />James<br /><br />PS: I'm assuming this is a Cobra outdrive. Am I right?

 

[JB]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

Moving to I/O

 

[tylerin]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

What is the reason for removing lower. Like jee I assume you have a Cobra. Right in the time frame when they had shift cable problems. Check to see that you have a red shift cable when you pull (whole) unit off. Check gimbel bearing and u-joints, then grease them

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

they can be a pain. he must remove the trim tab bolt. there are 2 other bolts underneath that need to be removed, leave the anode bolt in. once he gets everything unbolted the only thing bolding it together are 2 0-rings. just wiggle it back & forth & pull up at the same time. u may have to pry up with a screwdriver, but go easy if u do this. u really need 2 people to do this as the drive is heavy. just be patient, it will come apart. i suggest u get a manuel, 'cause getting it back together ain't no picnic either. once he gets it apart, i suggest he replace the seals & o- rings.

 

[tylerin]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

Agree w/ sea wolf. I might add, mark or scribe trim tab because you must put it back in the exact same location

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

when u get ready to reassemble pay close attention to the seals that fit on the copper water tube. they tend to fall out when u put the 2 halves back together. if they do you'll have water in gear lube and/or the engine will overheat. put a small ammount of gasket sealer on the seals to help keep them in place.

 

[gailsbells]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

This has all been wonderful information. But Spike (and others) are right. We need the manual. How do we order a manual? From whom? <br /><br />Thanks

 

[Lark40]

Re: OMC Lower Leg OutDrive

You can order a Clymer's 1986-1993 OMC Cobra Repair Manual from an icon at the bottom of this page. They are also available at just about any boat store.<br /><br />Also, there are similar manuals by Seloc, and the original OMC books, available through local dealerships (or on eBay).