Went to change my lower unit oil and it was milky so my local mechanic
recommended i just bring in the drive. He said it's cheaper and easier. I
never removed it before, he said all it is, is 6 bolts and Bam it comes off,
he did mention to have it in "drive/forward" and to remove the tilt trim
arms. I have a 94 mercruise w/ alpha I.

Few Questions:
Is it that simple?
Any specific tips/tricks?
I plan to leave it off the entire winter anything specific i should do
to cover up the "hole" ??
The marina said it would be cheap any idea on "Cheap"? labor is $95
p/p....

put the gear selector in foward, if you have the drive lube monitor empty
it. Remove the six nuts holding the outdrive in place. If you have the
speedometer pickup in the outdrive disconnect the hose. pull the out drive
off the boat.
Its easy, just nerve wracking the first time

"ToneJohn" wrote in message
...
Went to change my lower unit oil and it was milky so my local mechanic
recommended i just bring in the drive. He said it's cheaper and easier.
I
never removed it before, he said all it is, is 6 bolts and Bam it comes
off,
he did mention to have it in "drive/forward" and to remove the tilt trim
arms. I have a 94 mercruise w/ alpha I.

Few Questions:
Is it that simple?
Any specific tips/tricks?
I plan to leave it off the entire winter anything specific i should do
to cover up the "hole" ??
The marina said it would be cheap any idea on "Cheap"? labor is $95
p/p....

You also need to disconnect the tilt cylinders. Do that at the drive end.
You will need to hold them up with something, I use bungy cords. If the
drive has never been off it can be difficult to remove. SHIFTER MUST BE IN
FORWARD. It may help to loosen with a rubber mallet. It is heavy so be
ready when it slides out. I do mine in the garage with the outdrive lowered
until it is almost touching the floor.

"seeray28" wrote in message
...
put the gear selector in foward, if you have the drive lube monitor empty
it. Remove the six nuts holding the outdrive in place. If you have the
speedometer pickup in the outdrive disconnect the hose. pull the out drive
off the boat.
Its easy, just nerve wracking the first time

"ToneJohn" wrote in message
...
Went to change my lower unit oil and it was milky so my local mechanic
recommended i just bring in the drive. He said it's cheaper and easier.
I
never removed it before, he said all it is, is 6 bolts and Bam it comes
off,
he did mention to have it in "drive/forward" and to remove the tilt trim
arms. I have a 94 mercruise w/ alpha I.

Few Questions:
Is it that simple?
Any specific tips/tricks?
I plan to leave it off the entire winter anything specific i should
do
to cover up the "hole" ??
The marina said it would be cheap any idea on "Cheap"? labor is $95
p/p....

One other thing. Before pulling the drive I would remove the prop and check
for fishing line in the seal. Common cause of drive leaks. Also you did
not say how long it has been since you changed the drive lube.

"seeray28" wrote in message
...
put the gear selector in foward, if you have the drive lube monitor empty
it. Remove the six nuts holding the outdrive in place. If you have the
speedometer pickup in the outdrive disconnect the hose. pull the out drive
off the boat.
Its easy, just nerve wracking the first time

"ToneJohn" wrote in message
...
Went to change my lower unit oil and it was milky so my local mechanic
recommended i just bring in the drive. He said it's cheaper and easier.
I
never removed it before, he said all it is, is 6 bolts and Bam it comes
off,
he did mention to have it in "drive/forward" and to remove the tilt trim
arms. I have a 94 mercruise w/ alpha I.

Few Questions:
Is it that simple?
Any specific tips/tricks?
I plan to leave it off the entire winter anything specific i should
do
to cover up the "hole" ??
The marina said it would be cheap any idea on "Cheap"? labor is $95
p/p....

I've changed my lube last year and it was fine, i also changed my impleller
too. If i had to guess i think its something when i changed the impeller
cause it was my first time, no fishing line i looked...

Is it best to have the drive tilted down (almost touching) or up ?

thanx....
"JamesgangNC" wrote in message
nk.net...
One other thing. Before pulling the drive I would remove the prop and
check for fishing line in the seal. Common cause of drive leaks. Also
you did not say how long it has been since you changed the drive lube.

"seeray28" wrote in message
...
put the gear selector in foward, if you have the drive lube monitor empty
it. Remove the six nuts holding the outdrive in place. If you have the
speedometer pickup in the outdrive disconnect the hose. pull the out
drive
off the boat.
Its easy, just nerve wracking the first time

"ToneJohn" wrote in message
...
Went to change my lower unit oil and it was milky so my local mechanic
recommended i just bring in the drive. He said it's cheaper and easier.
I
never removed it before, he said all it is, is 6 bolts and Bam it comes
off,
he did mention to have it in "drive/forward" and to remove the tilt trim
arms. I have a 94 mercruise w/ alpha I.

Few Questions:
Is it that simple?
Any specific tips/tricks?
I plan to leave it off the entire winter anything specific i should
do
to cover up the "hole" ??
The marina said it would be cheap any idea on "Cheap"? labor is $95
p/p....

"ToneJohn" wrote
he said all it is, is 6 bolts and Bam it comes off

The "Bam" part can be a little tricky. The driveshaft passes through the
gimbal bearing on it's way to the engine coupler, and that tends to be a
sticky spot. I've heard of several ways of unsticking the shaft from the
bearing. The one that worked for me was manually raising the drive up (trim
cylinders removed) and carefully slamming it down against the stop until it
came loose. I had the lower half off at the time, which made it a little
easier to control.

I plan to leave it off the entire winter anything specific i should do to
cover up the "hole" ??

If you want to get fancy, you can get one of these for $14:
http://www.mercstuff.com/wintercover.htm