Swivel shaft nut rusted horribly. Swivel shaft corroded in gimbal ring

[imp0ster]

I didn't know how bad this was until I tore the gimbal apart and cut the two holes in the side of the transom assembly. I thought it would turn out to be the gimbal ring but it's the steering arm. The swivel shaft just spins in the arm.

I can't get the nut to budge for the life of me. You can see I knocked a chunk out already with a long punch. It's been soaked in PB for 24 hours. I don't think a butane torch will touch this. Any ideas?

Maybe try to drill into it with a nice bit and break the nut into pieces?

 

[alldodge]

From what you found with the shift shaft in your other thread and now here, I would think of replacing the entire transom assembly. It's either that or remove the engine and transom assembly so you can get at everything

 

[imp0ster]

From what you found with the shift shaft in your other thread and now here, I would think of replacing the entire transom assembly. It's either that or remove the engine and transom assembly so you can get at everything

I've spent an extra $7k on my new to me $6700 boat and I'm tapped. I can't get the engine out where it is and can't work on it where I live due to jerk HOA people skulking around. I am rebuilding the entire transom assembly already.

I need alternatives while the engine remains in the boat at this point. I literally need to exhaust every option before even thinking about dragging it somewhere to have my pockets raped.

 

[alldodge]

I take it this is an Alpha and what year is it?

 

[imp0ster]

I take it this is an Alpha and what year is it?

alpha one gen II 1995. Engine is 2014 355 carb

 

[alldodge]

Take a cold chisel and try to split the nut. Use more straight in toward the shaft at first until you get a good cut going. After the cut is progressing, start hitting to loosen it just a bit. Don't want to cut the side of the nut off, but after some cutting it may just start to loosen. Hope you can cut through it

 

[imp0ster]

Thanks man. I don't want to get my dad involved. He does this 6 days a week and is getting up there in age.

 

[alldodge]

Don't pound on it with a sledge hammer, your housing is aluminum. This should be easy enough to cut through so long as the chisel is sharp/ Take your time, you should get it

 

[imp0ster]

I have a snap on set at the house that I've recently reground the tip on. Have a 3/4lb broad head mallet I'll use. I'll take pics along the way if it goes well so anyone else searching can see it.

 

[Grub54891]

How about a dremmel bit to grind/split the nut? saves hammering and possibly damaging more parts. grind just shy of the threads, then tap it with a chisel.

 

[wisebob]

I was in the same situation as you were 3 weeks ago and know how you feel. The bottom of my swivel shaft was in far better condition than yours but I could not not get it out because the steering arm nut and bolt were so corroded, there was no way to get it out. If those can't be taken out, the swivel shaft is forever stuck.

Ended up just buying a new transom shield assembly for around 2.3k and luckily was able to find a local machine shop that had a warehouse with a swinging hoist. The owner was very nice and let me put the boat in the warehouse to use his hoist and remove the motor at a small fee. Replaced the transom shield with the new one and feel much better now with that.

Since you are on a budget, I'd say get a new shield and put it on yourself. It's not hard; just takes time and studying the service manual and coming here at iboats for help if needed.

Good luck.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Kinda sounds like you had a leaker too that the grease fitting would have prevented.

 

[imp0ster]

No Title

Kinda sounds like you had a leaker too that the grease fitting would have prevented.

100% correct. WD-40 dripped right around the bottom of the shaft when I soaked the holes. I'm not buying a new transom assembly. The drive is new and I've refurbed the gimbal to better than new. I also have to dish out $1100 for a wreckless driving ticket because I let my friend talk me into racing a new vette.

With persistence I'll get it out even if I have to use an acetylene and cut it to pieces. On another note I can't find my snap on chisels

 

[alldodge]

.

With persistence I'll get it out even if I have to use an acetylene and cut it to pieces. On another note I can't find my snap on chisels

You'll probably find it after you pickup another one. But fire and a boat don't mix very well, be safe

 

[imp0ster]

You'll probably find it after you pickup another one. But fire and a boat don't mix very well, be safe

Picked up a set from harbor frieght then found the snap ons under my un-rolled vise grip set. Happens every single time. If it comes to a touch my father has a precision tip cutter and he'll be the one to go at it so I can yell at him when it goes up in flames

 

[imp0ster]

No Title

I drilled a hole in each side of the nut with a good 5/16 bit then went at it with a hardened chisel from harbor freight. in less than 30 minutes I had it split. I forgot the rest of my tools today so I can't loosed the gimbal ring clamp bolts and try to knock the pin out but this is a HUGE step.

It goes to show nothing can overcome persistence and plain violence with hand tools

 

[alldodge]

Hope this turns out to be the hardest part of the job

 

[imp0ster]

Hope this turns out to be the hardest part of the job

Thanks. Pivot pin is out, soaked it from all angles this am after I broke the nut apart and hammered it lightly with an extension for 3 minutes and it slid up. Metal hates being under stress and will eventually give.

Anyone know if I can hammer out the swivel shaft at the steering arm collar from the access holes I drilled or do I have to put a bolt into the head and pry it out?

 

[alldodge]

With the steering arm off, lower pin out and removing the bolts on top you should be able to move it enough so pin drops out. Probably corrosion is holding it in. There should be no issue with applying pressure to top of pin, just need to worry about bugging up your holes to much so they cannot be tapped clean later for the plugs.

The base of the shaft is threaded and use a slid hammer, think its 7/16

 

[imp0ster]

5/8 it seems. I'll report back when I go at it again and get more accomplished. Probably Friday unfortunately.