Lower unit gear oil drain screw not budging
Trashman
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Michael T
Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
I'm sure you have already put a slotted screw driver (Thompson) into the screw slot and tapped it VERY gently several times after spraying one of the metal lubricants onto it and letting is set. I'd try this a few times.
If that doesn't work I'd PM Al.
Here's what I did on a Bravo 1 I had and it was heart attack inducing for a few minutes. I removed the upper fill screw in the hopes that the fluid would wash out the metal particles of what I was about to do.
After all my attempts to remove the cross threaded screw I could only think of a couple of ideas: heat up the metal housing surrounding the screw to make it expand then try to get the screw out. I didn't have the b*lls for that so I went to plan B. I drilled starting with a very small bit holes of increasing size into the screw hole. My drill had a safety stop which prevented me from going too far into the screw and I drilled VERY slowly. I kept trying to collapse the ring that was left using needle nosed pliers. Finally after using 4 bits I could collapse and unscrew the remnants of the screw/plug. The gear lube which had been leaking all the time I was drilling came out with a rush and I let all of it drain into the pan.
I was very lucky and the threads of the gear bullet were not damaged so I did not have to tap them.
That's what I did but I'd still PM Al.
Answers
PC BYC, Holland, MI
I had this happen to me a few years back and tried everything. Finally, I bought the little impact screwdriver (for under $10) at harbor freight. You use it with a hammer, really works well. I've had to use it on two other boaters drives as well with great luck. It does work! Just do some light taps on it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/impact-screwdriver-set-with-case-37530.html
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
port side drain was put on by some ape I think.
i don't use cheap drivers or undersized flat heads at that to cause a strip.
after first fail I switched to a long screw driver that always did the trick for me
then switched to my impact and second hit did the trick.
replaced drain plugs and all seals after that.
if plug is all chewed up and stripped then make a new slot in it like mentioned earlier.
So... I started to drill. First a tiny bit(i have good quality bits)that fit into the slot.....boom, right through and SNAP! Second bit, right through and.....SNAP! Lol. Now this is the moment I realized i should use the clutch on my nice cordless drill. Three more sizes up with no problem and the oil is flinging everywhere. I was surprisingly almost center with the hole, a bit to one side but no issue. I took a nail punch and tapped the slot to one side and it freed up and i could screw it the rest of the way out.
Now the fun part! Two busted bits and maybe some shavings. After the oil completely drained I used a tiny magnet i have that fits in the hole perfectly. ...nothing but a few shavings.
So, i put the new plug in and with a squirt bottle I squeezed 16 oz of diesel fuel in the top hole, lifted the drive up n down and presto! Two bits, a few shavings and what i thought was a needle bearing.
After having a blonde moment I realized it was the magnet from the plug I drilled out, whew! Im glad it didnt attach itself to anything in the shaft housing! After i drained and repeated the diesel fuel flush with the magnet, just came up with very minute shavings. Attached my blow gun to the top hole and aired out a little while lifting n lowering unit. Put about 10 oz of gear oil in the top hole to flush out anything else, drained then filled unit with 2 new plugs.
What an adventure, my neighbors learned new curse words this weekend,lol
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
PC BYC, Holland, MI