2001 250 OX66 driveshaft / Lower unit removal

[31jupiter]

I'm having trouble removing the lower unit from my 2001 250 OX66. Removed 9 bolts, the lower does not drop at all. The impeller was supposedly replaced last year, but either they couldn't get it off or didn't grease the spline.

Is there any suggestions here, besides wedges? Is the attached picture the drive shaft? Is that a place to try to tap to get it loosen up??

Thanks for any suggestions.

[boscoe99]

Can you make the photograph larger? It is too small to see anything.

You might try loosely attaching four of the side bolts and then run the motor to get it hot. Hopefully, the crankshaft will expand and the weight of the lower unit will start to pull it downward. Vibration from the motor running will also help.

Hopefully a Sawzall is not in your future.

[DennisG01]

Boscoe, I learned this trick a few weeks ago. When a I see a picture like this one - way too "physically" large to fit on the screen - I drag the picture up to the top of the browser (where the "tabs" are) and drop it there... It opens up the picture in a new window, appropriately sized.

I would try some wiggle, wiggle and some tap, tap with a hard rubber mallet. Not TOO hard! I've had to do this numerous times on stern drives to separate the foot. It seems like salt gets in and around the bolts. Like mentioned above, keep some of the bolts in, just in case it all of a sudden decides to drop.

[31jupiter]

Thanks, sorry about the large picture. When you say run the motor, do you mean idle till hot, or actually take boat for low RPM ride? Also, do you suggest not tapping that area of the picture?

[TownsendsFJR1300]

It can't hurt but besides the above recommendations,
try spraying some really good penetrating oil (not WD40)
in that area "circled", especially upwards (trying to get it
in the splines).

If all the bolts are out, also gently smacking a short 2x4
EQUALLY on both sides of the LU downward may loosen
it up.

Rotating the engine while doing so as well should
also help.

Good luck.

[31jupiter]

TownsendsFJR1300, thanks. I circled the red area only to clarify that spot, being under the powerhead as you said.

Rotating the engine? Do you mean steering, trim up and down or rotating with starter?

Thanks again.

[boscoe99]

Boscoe, I learned this trick a few weeks ago. When a I see a picture like this one - way too "physically" large to fit on the screen - I drag the picture up to the top of the browser (where the "tabs" are) and drop it there... It opens up the picture in a new window, appropriately sized.

I would try some wiggle, wiggle and some tap, tap with a hard rubber mallet. Not TOO hard! I've had to do this numerous times on stern drives to separate the foot. It seems like salt gets in and around the bolts. Like mentioned above, keep some of the bolts in, just in case it all of a sudden decides to drop.

Well, I will be damned. It worked. This old dog has learned a new trick. Thanks.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Loosen the bolts (maybe 1/4"), put water muff's on and start the engine.

Between the additonal slop and vibration it should help loosen it.

Be quick to turn off the engine should the LU drop (that 1/4")..

[TownsendsFJR1300]

TownsendsFJR1300, thanks. I circled the red area only to clarify that spot, being under the powerhead as you said.

Rotating the engine? Do you mean steering, trim up and down or rotating with starter?

Thanks again.

Rotate the engine (ignition OFF) (by the flywheel) slowly by hand just so you have even pressure as your forcing the LU down...

If it starts to go and locks up, a sizzor jack gently pushing it back up and dropping it again will help display the likely rust in there..

[boscoe99]

Thanks, sorry about the large picture. When you say run the motor, do you mean idle till hot, or actually take boat for low RPM ride? Also, do you suggest not tapping that area of the picture?

I would try it first running the motor at idle with the boat on a trailer. Using copious amounts of water to make sure the motor does not over heat.

If you have an impact gun you can try seeing if you can rap on the drive shaft while the motor is idling. I can see a portion of the drive shaft in your photograph.

If that does not work, and nothing else works, then I would run the boat in the water at power, stopping every so often to see if the lower unit is starting to drop down.

Personally, I would rather lose a lower unit in the briney blue, having the damn thing fall off, before I would hack into the motor.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I'm not sure for your engine, but under the trim tab(adjusts right and left), there's often a bolt that helps hold the LU on.

Does your engine have that and if so, is it off?

Just making sure all your bases are covered and ALL bolts/nuts are out.

Look at the parts fisch and make sure their all out;

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Ya...250/parts.html

[31jupiter]

All very good suggestions, will try them all! Yes, I have 9 bolts total, 3 on each side, 1 trim, 2 in rear under tab. Have done this before, but never had a problem on any motor until now

If anyone has any other input, would love to hear it.

Thanks.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

When was the last time the LU was off?

I'm assuming the splines were greased back then?

Are you getting any play/flex between the mid section and the LU at all??



One or a combination of those suggestions should work...

[31jupiter]

I bought the boat about a year ago. I had the motor fully serviced and was told that the water pump was replaced. So, I hope it was just last year, but maybe they just said it was? Or maybe they did, but didn't grease the splines?

Anyways, the LU does not drop at all. There just a smidgen of play/movement when I push and pull. Mostly just because the bolts are out. I can get a putty knife of separation in the middle and toward the rear, but the front is pretty tight.

I will give it a go this weekend and respond with pics.

Thanks.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Interesting...

I'm sorry but I'm thinking there's still a bolt in there somewhere..

Do you have the specific service manual for that engine? The part fisch isn't the clearest thing to go by. Did you try spraying something like liquid wrench in the area of the upper splines?

If someone can clarify, does the shifter linkage (like some other brands) on this model have to be disconnected just below the powerhead or is it a slotted shaft like other Yamaha's (at the lower end)?


Part #48 on this parts fisch shows the shifter linkage, so I don't believe there's anything up top to disconnect;

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Ya...ROL/parts.html