Removing Lower Unit - I'm stuck!
 

I decided to remove the lower unit and bring it to a shop to be tested and have new seals put in. This is all because last fall when I changed the lower unit oil it came out very milky.

The motor is an OMC sea drive, 1.6 liter. The manual I have is for the 2.6 liter engine. Looking at the manual, everything looked to be the same or very similar, so I decided to tackle it.

I was following the manual, and disconnected the shift linkage pin, took out all the required bolts and realized i hadn't put it in reverse, so i reversed my steps and went back and put the pin in and threw it in reverse. I proceeded to remove all required hardware and the thing will NOT budge. The back part of the unit dropped about 1/8", but the rest will not move. I've tried pry bars (not too hard, afraid to do damage) and no luck. What am I missing??

Please help, any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

did you remove the hidden bolt?

the arrow is pointing to where it is

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...ors/8cb7_1.jpg

you should have 6 bolts holding it on but there is 7 total bolts to removed one holding the plate above prop

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...ors/c416_1.jpg

then just jerk it off, but it may be stuck in the crank shaft. the rev. part really doesn't matter.

Got all the bolts off that you show there. The part above the prop has dropped down slightly but where the shaft is has not budged. Like you say I think it's stuck up by the crank shaft.

Just brute force from here on out? Can I access the crank shaft area to get some PB Blaster or something in there?

Double check to make sure you have out all the bolts shown above. Then check to make sure that the shift rod has not slipped back onto that pin. If all is loose your going to have and pry on it some. The only thing left is the shaft and it must be stuck and I don't think there is any way to access that area.

Looks like the LU drive shaft is stuck to the engine, Have someone grab the flywheel and hold it, with the LU in gear forward or reverse have another person turn the prop in both directions hard whilst you apply some prying on the LU or use a 2x4 and tap it real hard. Chances are the splines are corroded or to the point of triping you will see it once its removed.
I trust you do have the bolts removed like you said.

I see the 6 bolts circled, but seem to remember the seventh by/under the torque tab???? Lets hope it isn't stuck in the crank....that can be ugly and involve destructive methods.

read above i said 6 hold on the lower unit it takes 7 to remove it.

I'm going to drive two pry bars in the crack to put some downward pressure and then hit it with the 2x4 and hammer.

The LU must be between gears at this point, its locked and wont move more than 1/2 turn either direction. Turning it isn't an option unless i get that pin back in and do some more shifting..

Time to break out the brute force. Thanks for all the suggestions

I have stood on the lower units before and bounced my weight to break them loose and it usually works.

Cut two wedges outta 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 ... drive them in from both sides equally ... wedges can be incredibly effective persuasion tools...