Brainstorm Idea for hard to install Lower Unit.

**gary slagle** · 01-02-2016, 10:28 PM

i trim my motor full up ,then i slide lower unit sideways into position ,lots easier than lifting up ,in forward gear for driveshaft spline alignment,water tube ,one finger to align shift shaft ,easy .

**King Dad** · 01-05-2016, 05:02 AM

Personally, I would never recommend a remote start switch. IF you ever fail to disable the ignition, it could start with you attempting to hold the gearcase ... maybe not 99% of the time, but IF, as people are stating, they've done hundreds.. it's that 1% that will forever be etched in your memory. IMHO And, you'll lose the ability of "feeling" the pieces going into place.
I was going to attempt to describe how I install a gearcase (ya, hundreds) and rotate the prop shaft counterclockwise while aligning the shift.... and the water inlet guide, but I can't explain it without writing a darn novel.... best piece of advise, don't use a stainless prop on the shaft (too heavy), use aluminum prop or just the splined prop hardware with large visegrips so you can rotate the prop shaft counter-clockwise. And a baby needle-nose vise grips on the upper-shift shaft just at the front of the lower mounts.

**transomstand** · 01-05-2016, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by King Dad

but IF, as people are stating, they've done hundreds.. .

So because YOU don't have a clue about who spends many, many hours here helping others you question what they say about their experience????? That's brilliant.

I've only done a couple gearcases and I just beat the bitch back on with a hammer. I'm really shy and don't post much either

**tux974** · 01-05-2016, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by transomstand

So because YOU don't have a clue about who spends many, many hours here helping others you question what they say about their experience????? That's brilliant.

I've only done a couple gear cases and I just beat the bitch back on with a hammer. I'm really shy and don't post much either

There goes my fresh and warm cup of coffee, thank you.........

....

I usually find removing the engine and turn it upside down works well......

**XstreamVking** · 01-05-2016, 07:36 AM

I have seen the lowers you installed transom. You must use a BIG hammer. And a freakin gorilla to tighten the nuts.

As many ways to do it, as there are people I suppose.

**transomstand** · 01-05-2016, 07:57 AM

Sometimes the driveshaft is too long and I have to hit it a couple extra times

**tux974** · 01-05-2016, 08:06 AM

Not sure what you mean....

That is the correct size DS to me....

it is suppose to reach the flywheel splines.....

**XstreamVking** · 01-05-2016, 08:44 AM

Seems I remember a pic transom posted with the lower unit install tool leaning against the transom....

**vnemous** · 01-05-2016, 09:04 AM

I do believe many members here have done hundreds of lower service so what's the debate. Some have to put them up and down numerous times the same day

**XstreamVking** · 01-05-2016, 09:26 AM

Just never drop the l/u skeg on your foot. Mech where I worked when young did that. Was not pretty. Never came back to work there. He also grabbed the kill sw wire under the dash and damn near killed himself just before the lower unit fiasco. We nicknamed him dangerous dan....

**tlwjkw** · 01-05-2016, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by transomstand

Sometimes the driveshaft is too long and I have to hit it a couple extra times

I see tha problem! Outta be a 1 X instead of tha 2 x but ya probably jus like usin' tha hammer huh!......

**velox** · 01-05-2016, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

One man. First things first. Before removing gearcase, place shifter into forward gear. When reinstalling, lift gearcase up far enough that shiftshaft can positioned with one finger through front access hole. Grab propshaft & turn a small amount to align driveshaft. Install washers & nuts & tighten. This has worked for me "at least" 500 times.

This is the official way to install the LU.
i know you say so, but to make sure people understand, put the control shifter in forward as well as the lower unit.
If done correctly the unit will slip in pretty easily.

**King Dad** · 01-05-2016, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by transomstand

So because YOU don't have a clue about who spends many, many hours here helping others you question what they say about their experience????? That's brilliant.

I've only done a couple gearcases and I just beat the bitch back on with a hammer. I'm really shy and don't post much either

the part that it was "in my humble opinion"........

**Dave Strong** · 01-05-2016, 12:25 PM

Each way will work, myself I leave in gear but I work flat rate and speed is important. by the time a guy pulls the cowl off and hooks a remote starter up I will have the lower on doing it my way.

If you do chose to do it with a remote starter make sure the prop is OFF. One exception is the old style rev lock out with the POS plastic cam in the mid. To each their own what ever works best.

Dave