Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

[Fishermark]

I will need to pull the hinge pins on my Mercruiser model 1 outdrive. The manual simply says, "Remove hinge pin lock screws or pins and remove hinge pins with Hinge Pin Puller..."

How specifically do you remove the lock screws or pins? Which do I have? Here's a pic:

I'll be asking more questions about this soon, I'm sure! I have rented / borrowed a slide hammer from Autozone in the past for other needs -will a typical slide hammer work for pulling these pins? The screw hole seems mighty small for a threaded puller - seems like it would strip out or break pretty easily. Any tips before I begin?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

take the nail out... it's bent over into a slot on the back side of the gimble ring... ya might try to not break them as i believe the small nails are nla... i just used any ol light weight slam hammer... i used a 1/4-28(think thats the right thread but is from my memory) cap screw in the end of my puller... my pins were not in to tight at all... a couple mild slams and out they came....

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

I doubt if yours will be so easy, because of salt water use.....
I'd chase the threads in the pins, I believe Zig has the thread count & size right......
I'd spray some some Kroil on the whole deal & see if I could fashion something to press the keeper pins out.....
If you break the heads off of them, it will be trouble & they are not hard metal......​

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

Just so I'm clear on what you are saying - that shiny "pin" to the left of the hinge pin is actually a "nail head?" And theoretically I can just look / feel behind and straighten it out (like a cotter pin) and pull out the nail from the front? I take it then that the little hole on the top of the hinge pin is an orientation mark to put them back in the right direction?

 

[qaztwo]

Re: Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

yes to what everyone has said. On mine nail would not come out I attached a bolt to the pin and using a slide hammer removed the pin which made it possible to remove nail. New nail was sightly larger so had to drill larger hole, no big deal.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

Just so I'm clear on what you are saying - that shiny "pin" to the left of the hinge pin is actually a "nail head?" And theoretically I can just look / feel behind and straighten it out (like a cotter pin) and pull out the nail from the front? I take it then that the little hole on the top of the hinge pin is an orientation mark to put them back in the right direction?

That is exactly right.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

The small hole at the top of the pin is to help line up the hole for the grease. The aluminum nail just goes thru a groove cut all the way around the pin.
If your pins are stuck, I usually use the oxy/act torch to heat the gimbal ring and bellhousing then use a pin punch in the bolt hole of the pin and drive it inwards toward the bellows. (I assume you are replacing the bellows while you have it apart)
Makes it a lot easier, especially if you have swimstep brackets in the way of a slide hammer.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

Thanks for the help everyone. I got home from the office this afternoon and ... voila! ... they came right out!

It's funny you mention swim platform brackets. Yep, mine was in the way. Instead of getting a slide hammer, I used a series of large washers that I was able to tighten the 1/4' bolt against and pull the pins out that way. It worked fine. Here's a picture for those who may do a search in the future and wonder the same thing I did.

By the way Don, I believe the groove cut around the pin is for the grease, there is a hole in the middle of the pin that that aluminum nail goes through. Here's a couple of pictures showing it: (The red tube just shows where the nails go)

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Pulling hinge pins - Mercruiser model 1

Nice work there Mark I can picture myself attempting that feat in the near future. good post and pics guys thanks

 

[SRVSucker]

Hi Guys,
Having the same issue. I've got a 1970 Sea Ray with a 165. Need to replace the bell housing as the water inlet is so corroded that the o-ring will not seal. And I would like to regularly service the bellows. Problem is the 'nails' that lock the old style pivot pins are basically welded into the bell housing. They will not tap out from the back, do not slide hammer out the front, will not punch out, tried a little heat, but they are in there. Anyone drill these out? Or simply cut apart the old bell housing? I've got a replacement bell housing. If I can get the nails out I figure I can get the pins out with more finagling.

Many thanks!!

 

[kenny nunez]

The only way those nails will come out is with heat and a pair of diagonal pliers under the head of the nail and hit the pliers with a hammer to pull the nail. They cannot be drilled out because the stainless nail will cause the drill bit to bypass the nail.
I had a customer in the past who drove the large hinge pin In and sheared off the nail then brought me the boat which made it possible to pull the nail on the front of the gimbal ring with the diagonal pliers and work out the rear of the nail with diagonal pliers under the head. Heat is the only way to loosen up the nails. The replacement nails are larger and you have to drill out the large pin and gimbal ring. Worse case scenario will be to replace the gimbal ring or locate a later model used gimbal housing made after 76 which uses the screw in style pins.