1998 Johnson 50HP 2 stroke lower unit won't come out

[Rodney @Minnewawa]

I am trying to replace my water pump impeller. So I took out the 4 bolts plus the one in front of the trim. Unhooked the shift linkage at the top. Broke the lower unit loose but it will not come out. Just came loose about an 1/8" and something is holding it from coming out. Anyone have any suggestions as to what is my problem?

 

[racerone]

Hefty screwdriver should be used to pry it down.

 

[Rodney @Minnewawa]

I tried the screwdriver and some wood wedges. I don't want to damage the casing. Something seems stuck or hung up. I just don't know what it looks like in there to know what could possibly be holding this in.

 

[racerone]

Hurry to your local boat repair shop.

 

[kevinj]

First off, make sure the top of the shift rod isn't catching on anything as you try to pull it down. If that is free, then it's likely the splines of the driveshaft are stuck in the crankshaft. If so, push or pull the shift to engage the LU into gear. Make sure the key is out and there is no way the engine can fire. With a helper, one of you wiggle the gearcase while the other nudges the prop to shock the splines as you wiggle and pull down.

If that doesn't work, then resecure the LU with the bolts and find a mechanic that can tackle this.

KJ

 

[siluetae137]

If you can't separate it and end up resecuring, manually turn the flywheel just to make sure it's not a hydrolock issue.

 

[racerone]

??---Hydrolock where ?

 

[siluetae137]

driveshaft/crankshaft, a stretch but it's easy to check if hydrolocking is occuring. I actually read in a manual to never over grease the splines as they risk hydro locking during LU reinstall.

 

[siluetae137]

And yes I know it's typically in the combustion chamber with incompressible fluid.