Thanks for the help

Thanks for the help guys. I rotated the gear to a spot where I can get about 3/16 inch of the socket on the bolt. Tommorrow, I am going to make a piece of wood to wedge between the wrench and prop housing, so it won't slip off when I start turning the drive shaft. wish me luck.

Ed

Ed;

Have you determined that you have a bolt? Here is a link to a better picture of the bolt and tab washer, items 18/19:
http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/393_14.cfm

You can see clearly that the bolt has a very thin head head. If you have ensured that the tab washer locking tab is bent away from the bolt head and you can get a 3/16" grip with the socket, you are fully contacted and should not have a problem.

I have a special socket made for holding the driveshaft at the top as I advise breaking the torque of the bolt, rather than trying to turn the driveshaft to loosen it. You only have a minimal amount of turning room at the bolt head but once the torque is broken, they are usually finger tight for removal.

What maintenance are you attempting with the driveshaft?

936