driveshaft removal

[2fast4u2]

I got my lower unit off the mid, i have the bearing carrier and the propshaft out.....i see only two gears left, the one on the driveshaft and one behind it towards the nose of the l/u. Whats the best way to get the driveshaft out. I see a nut or bolt there at the end of it inside the case, but how do i hold the driveshaft without marring it all up.

Any tips would be great

Thanks

Ryno

[time warp]

There are a couple of tools you need, one goes into the gearcase and has a slot in it that the pinion nut slides into so it won't turn, the other has splines in it that will go on the top of the drive shaft and will attatch to a breaker bar. You might be able to use a wrench on the pinion nut but it will be harder to find something to fit the top of the driveshaft.
A factory service manual has pictures of the tools in it if you wanted to try to make something.

Hope this helps,

Caleb

[chris_lacey]

The proper size 12 point socket will hold the drive shaft. Sorry, can't remember off the top of my head what size. A thin, good quality wrench will get on the drive shaft pinion nut. The pinion is on a set of tapered splines and will sometimes need a little "persuasion" to come off.

[opti]

Pinion nut is a 7/8 if you dont have spline tool remove water pump studs and use a cresent wrench where the impellar key notch is break it loose and remove and chuck up drive shaft in vice and with rubber mallet knock hell out gear case to unseat pinion gear loose from drive shaft and catch all of the lower drive shaft bearing there is 18 rollers......OPTI