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200 20hp leg removal problems

E

Eric Hoare

Contributing Member
I am sure that I read on here that someone had a problem removing the leg off a 1978 200 20hp Merc, even saying he was going to cut the shaft.. WELL we too had a problem removing the leg off ours even thinking of getting two x two tonne jacks to winch it off. We removed the two nuts/bolts but it wouldn't budge, thinking that the seal was corroded we sprayed it with penetrating fluid and left it over night but still no joy!!! As the anode looked as it it needed changing anyway we wondered how it was fastened on, a closer inspection found a screw bolt accessible through the little hole on top of the unit above the prop, with a major struggle managed to unscrew it and the anode fell down and so too did the leg... it was that bolt that was stopping the leg from detaching from the body
if the guy who posted that thread reads this let me know if you removed that hidden bolt. I read some very silly ideas of how to remove them even hanging the engine upside down.. lol.. The top of the drive shaft receives all the exhaust fumes which contain oil so came away very easy, there wasn't even any silly bolt/screws to undo on the gear linkage either, unlike most other engines I have worked on. Took 15 minutes to change the impeller and five minutes to replace the leg plus two to replace the anode.. easy job "" when you know how""!!!
 
Not to rain on your parade, But a lot of driveshafts get stuck in the powerhead not uncommon and not specific to a any manufacturer. The fact you missed a bolt is lucky for you. But when that shaft is stuck in the powerhead it is a B##ch to get out sometimes it needs to be cut. I have had to take the crank out of a block to get the driveshaft out of it just to save the crank. So you thinking you have discovered a special way to get the driveshaft out is a little naïve on your part. You saying peoples ideas are silly shows how few outboards you have worked on. Another thing is there is water in the exhaust the water displaces the oil. That is why it is critical that the driveshaft seal be installed whether it be a seal in the block or oring on the shaft or whatever else they use to make that seal between the driveshaft and block. That is also why the splines need to greased before you reinstall the driveshaft.
 
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I had no intention of being a hero but have replaced several impellers over the years and never come across a seized drive shaft but I can learn from experts experiences. I just thought, for the learner, that this hidden bolt could be overlooked which would result it the thought of the drive being seized.. sorry if I was wrong.. Am I forgiven???
Eric
 
Seen one in a 9.8 that I absolutely could not get out! Made a puller out of the stub of a driveshaft that was left, used lots of heat...it's still in there.

Jeff
 
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