Stuck Lower Unit - 1999 Force 120 (mercury made)

[Rekon531]

Good Morning everybody

I'm working on this motor for a friend at work...apparently the impeller has never been changed. I can't seem to get the lower unit to separate...I've removed the 2 bolts from each side of the cavitation plate, and 1 from under the cavitation plate close to the trim tab (total of 5). I haven't been able to find any more bolts - including anything under the trim tab, but I certainly could have missed something... From what I've read, the shift linkage is a spline type, so the motor just needs to be shifted into forward to remove the lower unit. Can anyone offer some advice to what I've missed, or should I simply continue with my rubber mallet attack... Thanks!

-Matt

 

[buzzbomber]

Re: Stuck Lower Unit - 1999 Force 120 (mercury made)

check out the youtube video I posted in the link below. The guy is removing a mercury lower unit. Its the same lower unit used in my force 1998, Which should be the same as the one you're working on as well.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=467554&highlight=force+1998+idle

The shift linkage is just a spline and the lower unit dropped easy for me after removing the bolts.

 

[Bustedknuckle84]

Re: Stuck Lower Unit - 1999 Force 120 (mercury made)

i had the same issue, hammer and man handle it off. Be carefully putting back on make sure the shift shaft coupler is put on the right way and it all lines up. I made this mistake, but i did repair it.

 

[dieselmec84]

Re: Stuck Lower Unit - 1999 Force 120 (mercury made)

i have a 120hp outboard and had the same problem changing my water pump. it sat for 5 years and was a real pain in the *** gettin the lower unit off. its only five bolts its just the the driveshaft gets seized in the flywheel and does not wanna come out. just keep workin it and it will eventually drop!! good luck!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Stuck Lower Unit - 1999 Force 120 (mercury made)

There are two locating dowels on either side of the case. They tend to corrod in tightly. Try using a rubber mallet to hammer on it at the rear--NOT the cavitation plate and wedge a wood chisel into the crack between the lower and midleg. Look on A diagram to see the position of the dowels and apply a bit of heat with a propane torch--won't get hot enough to melt the aluminum.