trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

[gatorgitter]

Howdy All...
I'm trying to remove my '03 VP SX-M drive to check the bellows, gimble and ujoints.

I have the factory outdrive manual...I have the access cover, shift linkage and retaining clamp, trim clylinders (aft pivot pin ) ,and all 6 nuts removed. I have a home made stand/cart , which will support the outdrive by the spray plate.

My problem is that when I try to pull the outdrive off, it won't budge ( much) . I've tried shaking it, putting pressure/pulling on different angles, etc. , but I can only get ~.5mm crack to show. I assume it's is held on by corrosion. Although it doesnt look Too bad, imo, it was a salt water drive for a few years , and it looks to have never been removed.

I'm afriad to try to pry it loose, drop it / shake it harder, etc, and just as scared to hook my ATV up to it ( I got that idea elseware on this forum ) .

Any advise or ideas? Will soaking the crack w/BPBaster help , or hurt ? I've read a post about hooking up the trim cylinders and giving it a bump, but I think I'll have to brace the gimble housing , and I dont want to bend/break anything...

I can post pics if it will help, but my bet is that somebody has dealt w/a stuck outdrive before...
Thanks for any/all advise...
gator

 

[bruceb58]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

Soaking the crack won't do anything. What is holding it in is the drive shaft into the coupler on the engine. I would reconnect the tilt rams and try that method. Maybe stand on the drive while some one bumps the trim. Shaking it won't hurt anything either.

 

[mcleaves]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

It's possible your alignment is way out of whack and it's jamming the shaft into the splines of the coupler. Bump the engine and get it rotated 180- degrees and see if it frees up.

Short of that you are gonna have to get mean with it. You've done everything right so far

M

 

[gatorgitter]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

Hey, Guys....
Still no joy I reconnected the trim rams, and bumped it while standing on it , then bumped the starter to rotate the engine , then tried the trim rams again. It's still not budging past the ~.5mm crack.

I did Not wedge anything between the transom shield and the gimple ring, for fear of breaking/bending it. I took the trim rams off again, and tried pulling, but still No Go...

At this point I'm thinking a couple of things....
CAN I hook my ATV up to the spray plate, and give it a tug ? I doubt this is advisable, but it's more controlled than using my truck. How about a comealong ?

If anybody has any other ideas on to remove the stuck outdrive, Pls let me know ...

Shy of mechanical brute force , I'm considering just putting it back together. I was only trying to remove it for inspection , and to get good/new grease in the gimble bearing ; no problem that I know of , but that's what the inspection was supposed to confirm. I have a trip to the Keys coming up mid July, so I just wanted to check everything out. I realize this may not be ideal either, so I wanted to solicit y'alls comments...


thanks for the advise so far,
gator

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

It has to come off.Just putting it back together is not a good idea.
If its that stuck now imagine what it will be when it must be removed.
Yank it with the ATV...

 

[gatorgitter]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

Hey, Guys....
THANK Y'ALL for all the help so far, but I'm Still stuck. I Know Gary's right, in that I shouldn't just put it back together , so I gave it another shot. I didn't have the heart to put the atv on it , but I put a comealong on it, and pulled it pretty hard (probabally harder than the atv could pull it) , but it still didn't budge.

SO, I'm back to looking to more ideas / advise. I think I'm gonna try putting the trim rams back on, but this time strapping the outdrive to the tailer frame , and try to force it up/off. But I have my doubts that the rams are stong enough. After that, I'm thinking of strapping the outdrive to an oak tree , and pulling forward w/my truck. This sounds pretty extreme . but as mcleaves said, I "might have to get mean with it. "

Hopefully, somebody has a better idea, suggestion, technique, ...

Also, if I called in a mobile marime mechanic, or took it to a shop, any guesses as to what they would do ?

Thanks again,
gator

 

[gatorgitter]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

I also, forgot to mention... can y'all imagine the number of times DonS's signature has been ratteling through my brain?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

After that, I'm thinking of strapping the outdrive to an oak tree , and pulling forward w/my truck.

The disclaimer that you see on many shows comes to mind "Don't try this at home."

Having said that... I have to confess that's EXACTLY what I did recently on an Alpha that was stuck. I literally tied the outdrive to an Oak Tree and got in my 3/4 ton Suburban with the 454, put it in low and said "Something's gonna give."

Keep in mind I didn't really care at that point what gave - I would fix whatever damage was going to be caused.

Well, it worked. In my case the gimbal bearing was stuck on the drive shaft. The gimbal bearing came out with the outdrive. The good news? Well, actually two items of good news: (Make that three!)

1. The outdrive came off.
2. I caused no damage to the boat or transom assembly.
3. I didn't have to worry about getting my slide hammer out to remove the gimbal bearing!

 

[mcleaves]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

...
3. I didn't have to worry about getting my slide hammer out to remove the gimbal bearing!

Yup.. I am betting the shaft is seized into the gimbal bearing. Not sure what would be better, one hard pull of the truck or several more gentle "bumps". I'd go the latter route first as that'll be more like the slide hammer tapping it out

 

[gatorgitter]

Re: trying to Remove an SX outdrive ; it's stuck

I GOT IT OFF !!! Thank You, Gentlemen ! And I didn't even have resort to an internal combustion engine. I ended up bumping/droping it Several times then hooking the trim rams backup and wedged a 2x4 in between the Upper and the transom plate . The shaft came out , leaving the gimble bearing in place ; I guess it was stuck in the coupler, maybe. So , now I have to figure out what to replace, but that's for another thread. I just wanted to say Thanks to each and every one for the advise ; I coundn't have done it w/out y'alls help.

Thanks Again,
gator