Do I need to pull the motor if I want to remove the entire alpha drive from the transom. If I remove all the nuts from the inner transom plate can I just pull the entire drive off the boat keeping the rear of the engine blocked. I need to replace tiller of spline shaft and don't have cherry picker.

Thanks all,

Some one here posted that it could be done.
Block up the rear of the engine and if you can reach them, undo all the bolts and pull it off.
Don't forget the two hydraulic lines for the trim rams at the bottom (inside) and the sensor wires.

If you can do it, I'd look into replacing the coupler while you have it that far apart.

If you have a "wye" pipe (normal Bravo exhaust, forget it. No way!! If only thru hull exhaust, maybe.... and thats a very BIG maybe. I don't think it would be worth the trouble to try it. Just drop a couple of hundred & have the engine pulled for you. Much easier then. I have removed & installed a lot of drives and one transom assy. I don't think I would try it your way.... Sorry

You're right blown formula, I didn't think about the possiblity of exhaust system. I assumed it was thru-hull.

Ooops

Is your tiller arm worn out?
or is it your gimble ring where it
clamps to the shaft ?

Some people drill the gimble
housing near the tiller arm nut, then
use a punch to tap on the nut to loosen
it, then drop out the swivel shaft,
replace the worn items, reassemble,
tap the hole drilled, then install a pipe plug.
this proceedure is detailed in mercruiser
manuals.

I have lifted the engine and moved forward enough to remove the y pipe and transom plate on Bravo setup.. But we had an A frame to hang it from. You might try to rent one, or borrow a buddy's gargage with an exposed beam??

Good luck

i would say no way. I mean in heory its possible that you could lift it off the inner transom plate and block it BUT i doubt you woudl have enough space to actually work The bolts that hold the drive on are on very tight. I know they were tough to undue when i had plenty of space to work with cus the engine was out of the boat.

More importanltly. Its not a safe idea at all. If your negien move and your get say for instance your leg pinned you won;t have any way to move the engine off said pinned apendage. The chances of taht happening are pretty low BUT with a 100lbs perchaned on a jack stand in an engien bay with your contorted around it cranking on wrenches in an oiley bilge the chances do go up.

Pulling teh engine is apain in the ass but so is tryign to jerry rig it the other way. At least by pullgin it you know 100% you'll be abel to get teh job done on the first try. Before puling your engien remove your exhuast manifolds. Makes it easier and lighter to manuver.

I usually use a friends tow truck. Extend the boom, center the chain & it's outta there! You can even use a come-along at the end of the hook if there is enough clearance between the oil pan and gunnel. I always have some sort of safety chain rigged just in case.