When it comes to replacing water inlet hose, exhaust bellows, driveshaft
bellows, or shift cable, removing the drive is probably the easiest of the
tasks ahead.

First, PUT THE DRIVE INTO FOWARD GEAR. I repeat... PUT THE DRIVE INTO
FOWARD GEAR! Remove the six nuts on the upper drive, two nuts for the
trim cylinders. Remove the trim cylinders and the drive should pull off
without too much trouble.

If the drive is difficult to remove you may have the driveshaft corroded
onto the gimbal bearing. If you remove the unit and the gimbal bearing
comes off on the driveshaft them both the driveshaft yoke and the gimbal
bearing should be replaced.

Installation of the drive unit requires the boat remain in forward gear.
Then turn the shift lever (looks like a brass shoe) counter clockwise,
while rotating the propshaft clockwise to lock. Remove your hand from the
shift lever, lift the unit up, and use the free hand to feed the
driveshaft into the gimbal bearing, while KEEPING A COCKWISE PRESSURE ON
THE PROPSHAFT with the other hand. Once the driveshaft gets through the
bearing it the unit should ALMOST be able to rest on the bellhousing
studs. Push the unit forward while turning the propshaft clockwise
eventually the splines of the propshaft will line up with the drive
coupler and the unit will slide on. Two people make this job easier, but
one can do this.

Bob Dimond

In article , "gatt"
wrote:

"JJ" wrote in message news:fLPsc.33412

There is a specific procedure for removing the drive. You should get a
service manual
for mercs as there are a lot of detailed procedures that you need to
follow
if you work on it. There are several different brands and all of them are
ok. Check your local boat store or the internet. Replacing the bellows
is
a chore.

Okay, thanks for that info. I have the shop manual but it wasn't too
specific about the leak. I don't have a very good means of removingt the
drive myself so if it's a chore, I'll just take it to the shop for an
estimate (Already have too much other crap to do to the boat and summer's
coming!)

Thanks for the advice!
-c