Your ideas for removing Alpha bearing retainer nut?

**curtis73** · 07-03-2020, 03:36 PM

I have the correct Mercruiser socket for the bearing retainer nut. Not that it seemingly does me any good.

Step 1: big breaker bar
Step 2: bigger breaker bar
Step 3: bigger breaker bar with a section of pipe on it which just rolled the trailer jack across the driveway.
Step 4: 3/4" pneumatic impact
Step 5: 1" monster pneumatic impact which I only used a bit because I was afraid I was going to rip the steering or grenade the case

What should Step 6 be? I'm a little shy of using acetylene, and drilling/cutting the nut is a last resort (thread damage is way too easy and it would make my 15 minute job into finding a new lower case.

**Euroski** · 07-03-2020, 04:31 PM

Which brg nut? post photo

**half fast** · 07-03-2020, 05:00 PM

I’d heat up the case with a torch . Hf...

**Merc 2.5** · 07-03-2020, 05:54 PM

X2 on heat case. Use small torch. Not acetylene

**curtis73** · 07-04-2020, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Euroski

Which brg nut? post photo

Bearing carrier retainer nut (not mine, but similar)

**roadkill636** · 07-04-2020, 08:36 AM

Tilt the out drive all the way up and spray some. A LOT of PB BLASTER all over the nut and threads. Enough to fill the threads and make a puddle. Let it sit overbite and itll soak in. I like to use a impact and go left and right.

Oh.... you did remove the locking tabs... ???

**curtis73** · 07-04-2020, 08:47 AM

Yup, locking tabs bent out of the way. Even if they weren't, the nut hasn't moved, and the impact wrench I'm using would just mangle it if I forgot.

I'll hit it with more PBB and maybe some propane heat and try again tomorrow.

Anyone want a slow 18' Ebbtide cheap?

**H2OPERF** · 07-04-2020, 09:21 AM

If its salty your better off drilling thru the nut in several paces and cracking it out in pieces, dont pry on the housing outer edge they crack easy... with a little finess you can get it out with out messing up the threads . The ss lock ring will be easy to recognize when drilling to stop you from going too deep. More damage to the housing threads will be done unscrewing it if its really corroded.

**Euroski** · 07-04-2020, 09:29 AM

You do have the special tool for that? But like h2Operf suggested.

**curtis73** · 07-04-2020, 09:59 AM

Yes. I've had one since about 1995 for a Bravo rebuild. Comes in handy once every 6 or 7 years

Like this:

**curtis73** · 07-04-2020, 10:04 AM

No salt that I'm aware of. The previous owner used it on the lake near him where they had a summer camp. He may have taken it to salt, but judging by everything else I see, I doubt it. I've never had it in salt.

I've done the drilling thing before once. That turned into a search for a new lower case. Makes me nervous at the beginning of the season. If I can't get the nut off by normal means, I'll just run it as is and check for water every day, then tackle this in the fall.

**Euroski** · 07-04-2020, 01:31 PM

maybe a little heat, as possible at one time locktite was used.

**curtis73** · 07-04-2020, 02:15 PM

Grrr. I hate when people use locktite where they shouldn't. I use waterproof grease. The manual evidently says to use Perfect seal gasket sealer. Hence why I don't read manuals.

**Aaronhl** · 07-04-2020, 07:56 PM

Good luck getting it off with the tool posted above, even thought it’s the right tool for the retainer nut, you will need to drill holes in the nut and chisel the pieces out. Buy a new one for $15 and then use the tool above to spin it back on tight with some wd40 to lubricate the threads

or drill some holes in the nut and then use the tool to spin it off...

**Merc 2.5** · 07-04-2020, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Aaronhl

Good luck getting it off with the tool posted above, even thought it’s the right tool for the retainer nut, you will need to drill holes in the nut and chisel the pieces out. Buy a new one for $15 and then use the tool above to spin it back on tight with some wd40 to lubricate the threads

or drill some holes in the nut and then use the tool to spin it off...

The ones I was lookin at wasnt 15$ more like 100$ it was crazy. I was lookin at sporty tho