Stern Drive Speculation - HELP!!!

[mummy]

We have Volvo Penta Aqad31A engines which have 290 DP Stern drives, we had water coming in so took the boat out of the water. We have removed stern drive to replace bellows but are stuck. How do we remove the splined shaft that goes from the universal joint through the transom into the engine bell housing. This is to replace the bearing and seals. Can the shaft be taken out on the stern drive side or must the engine be moved forward?

 

[K-2]

Short answer :
Engine needs to come out OR be slid forward about 10 inches.
I just did my 41A and slid it forward,,,no way to pull the whole engine.
The parts you are trying to get at are called the Primary Drive Shaft, or PDS .
A search here will give you hours of reading .

 

[captmello]

Yep, the engine needs to move.
Have a look at the attached link.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Yup pulling, pulling forward is the only way.
There is a snap ring on both ends that needs to be taken off.
The "seals" aren't really a water seal. They're there more to keep the grease in the bearings.
Top of the bell housing, there is plug that can be taken out and replaced with a grease zert. It can save you a lot of trouble in the future.

 

[K-2]

I left the last seal out until I pumped the housing full of grease, until it started coming out that bearing then I installed that seal.
Also when you take it all apart it lets you do a good inspection of the "flex plate" on the flywheel .

 

[Scott Danforth]

to replace the PDS you will need to pull the motor. Its also a good time to clean the bilge with the motors out