Remove ?Pilot steering bracket shaft? 69 18hp Fastwin Pics

[Lostuzer]

18902D ? E12329 ?1969? 18hp Evinrude Fastwin
(Converted to short shaft)

I broke my drive shaft the other day and decided while I was down and partially apart to clean, paint, lube, replace belly pan mount, etc, until I could find a replacement drive shaft I can afford (26 X ? 4 spline and 11 spline).

I?ve always had a problem with the steering being a little too tight for my taste so I thought I might as well tear that part down and clean and re-lube with fresh marine grease.

I removed the thrust washer (plastic ring) and ?O? ring from the bottom of the assembly and the Co-pilot adjustment screw and spring from the upper area.

I at first tried to tap the shaft out with a 24oz. ball peen and a piece of aluminum bar stock as a buffer but as I proceeded the assembly became much tighter. At about an inch of headway I was cringing at the amount of force I had to use.

I then reversed directions using a wooden 2X4 as a buffer. Now, back in it?s normal position, it is no looser or tighter than before.

I then applied heat with a propane torch and tried pulling as I twisted back and forth (no hammer blows this time}. It moved up about an eighth of an inch AND got much tighter as it was displaced.

Could anyone give me the SOP for removing this?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Remove ?Pilot steering bracket shaft? 69 18hp Fastwin Pics

I have many 18's but have never got that far on them so I have no idea. But I'd like to follow this thread so replied.

 

[Sea18Horse]

Re: Remove ?Pilot steering bracket shaft? 69 18hp Fastwin Pics

You were on the right track with the hammer on the aluminum buffer piece. There is a groove around the upper bearing surface where the grease fitting is. On yours since it looks like you have a grease fitting down below too there may be a groove on the lower bearing surface as well. The grease gets petrified and the corrosion builds up in the groove and behind the bushing and it's just real tough to get it out. The first time when you had it out an inch you were this close! Just keep whanging on it, it'll come out! Good luck!

Cheers..................Todd

 

[Lostuzer]

Re: Remove ?Pilot steering bracket shaft? 69 18hp Fastwin Pics

Sea18Horse,

Thanks for the reply and alleviating my fears of damaging my assembly. I took the whole unit and slammed it into a wooden 2X6 floor about 6 times and it popped right out. It suffered no distortion or damage of any kind.

Bob