Not sure what you had for a Merc carrier puller but the one that I have you can put 600ft lbs on and it will not break. Man this is quite a mess ya got. The first thig I would do it get yourself two torches. I am talking real ones not the kind you get at home depot. The alluminum cools down to quickly for regular torches. Be carefull with the OX-torches as you can melt the allum. easily. Then heat the crap out of it and then try to pull it out. The part that is givine you no doubt your problem is way up inside the carrier. If you take a flashlight and shine it in there you will see the back of the carrier that is were you want to heat it up. As far as pulling on the prop shaft I do not think so. I know on the outboards that is not something you can do. There is a gear that comes down and sits on the drive shaft then you have your prop shaft gear that is behind it. If you pull on the prop shaft you may be pulling one gear into the other and ruin some expensive gears. May want to look into that some more.

Jon

Well, I tried every suggestion everyone gave. I was down to Audiofn's suggestion. Lotsa heat. Went out and bougt two cylinder of MAPP gas. Set one up on each side of the noseccone in line with the back of the carrier. Put a prop on the shaft with spacers, started tightening the prop nut, and bang.... everything came out... shaft, bearings, carrier, seals, everything. Man what a bueatifil sight!!!

As alway, you all led me down the right path. I was near taking it to a "boat mechanic" to get straightened out. You all saved me from that aggrivation. Thanks to all the replies to this post

:) :) :) :)

BT:cool:

yeah, congrats. did you check out the ebay thing for the parts?

Sounds like the prop shaft may have been siezed into the front bearing.

Yeah Formula I did. The only one I was wasn't for my drive.. don't remember the specifics, but thanks for the tip.

Tinderboat.. Yeah I think it was that and the loctite or whatever was put on the carrier housing. Heat is defiantely the trick for a fourteen year old drive.

Mucho graicias amigos,

BT :cool:

BT, let me know what parts you need and I will see what I can come up with for you. How are the retainer threads in the housing? I have a giant thread chaser that I would be willing to lend you.

To clean the threads to see if you need that giant thread chaser get a wire brush and go around WITH the treads. If the nut came out ok then you likly do not need it. If the nut came out hard you may have galling on the threads. Lets hope that is not the case. I ussually NEVER try and wind the nut out I always drill it and break it. That way you do not ruin the threads. :D:D Just a hint for next time. I have see drives ruined because people did not drill and break the nut.

Jon

Audiofn.. I drilled and broke the nut out. Threads are ok for the most part. Buggered up one small spot with a prybar during the "battle" to remove the carrier. I was able to run the new nut down after cleanup with a rotaty wire wheel. You were right on with the heat. The merc tool I bought would have worked well with the proper heat applied.

mbam... I could use a thread chaser, but don't absolutely need it. Thanks for the offer, it would be too big a PIA to ship it back and forth. Quite generaous of you!! I ordered the bearing, race , and back seal from BAM.

I only have one more question... then I'll shut up. Is there a proper way to dress the small wear marks made by the two bearing carrier seals? Maybe best to do nothing, but was wondering.... don't want to create any more messes!! ;)

BT

How deep are the groves in the prop shaft from the seals? If you can easily feel them with your fingernail then I would just replace the shaft to be on the safe side. With the groves you are making the shaft smaller and weaker. Also you will have less tension on the seal surfaces and you may end up with water in your new repaired drive.

Tinkerboat... the grooves are more of a polished spot on the shaft. I can barely if at all feel them with a fingernail. I got no dectable difference in OD measurement from polished area to original area, although I'm sure there is some, probably less than a thousanth on the diameter. I think I'll clean the area up with some emery cloth and call it good to go. Thanks for the input.

BT