Shaft removal

[PabloPicasso]

We had brown sludgy looking oil in out volvo 120S saildrive. Now drained. I suspect the shaft seals are at fault.

Ive removed the prop, anode and 2 bolts that hold the prop shaft in place, but it won't budge.

Have I missed something or is there a "trick" to removing it?

 

[PabloPicasso]

 

[VicS]

Or you sure its the seals and not just the drain plug O ring that's causing the trouble ?

It'll be the two O rings, #16. that are holding it Slide hammer needed according to the workshop manual ( page 62) but someone will suggest an alternative.



Sometimes its possible to extract seals by drilling two holes, screwing in a couple of self tappers and pulling. Maybe get the outer one out but not so sure about the inner one.

Workshop manual here:- https://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/VolvoMS2-SD120_manual.pdf

Inspect the shaft for wear and be sure to fit the new seals the correct way round. See page 69

 

[PabloPicasso]

Hi VicS. Thanks for that. Lots of info there. It'll take me awhile to digest.

There was a rubber o ring on the drain plug. That's got to be suspect. If I refill with oil is there a method of testing the seals with the boat out of the water, before going to the trouble of extracting the seals?

 

[PabloPicasso]

I see there is!!

 

[Tranona]

To get at the seals you need to remove the housing - it will be stuck on, but you have removed the screws holding it onto the leg. Mallet one side and block of wood the other is a good start to break the gasket seal.

 

[PabloPicasso]

To get at the seals you need to remove the housing - it will be stuck on, but you have removed the screws holding it onto the leg. Mallet one side and block of wood the other is a good start to break the gasket seal.

Thanks for that tip.

I think I will put the bolts back in and pressure test before proceeding. Now where to find/borrow/make a pressure tester without spending the earth...

 

[davidej]

I would get hold of a tyre pump with a gauge. Then get a Schraeder valve from a Kwikfit and braze it to a suitable bolt that has been drilled through.

I don’t have a sail drive so can’t guarantee it will work but have used this solution in other situations.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Or you sure its the seals and not just the drain plug O ring that's causing the trouble ?

It'll be the two O rings, #16. that are holding it Slide hammer needed according to the workshop manual ( page 62) but someone will suggest an alternative.

View attachment 144660

Sometimes its possible to extract seals by drilling two holes, screwing in a couple of self tappers and pulling. Maybe get the outer one out but not so sure about the inner one.

Workshop manual here:- https://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/VolvoMS2-SD120_manual.pdf

Inspect the shaft for wear and be sure to fit the new seals the correct way round. See page 69

I had a similar problem. Turned out to be the drain plug .

 

[PabloPicasso]

I had a similar problem. Turned out to be the drain plug .

Yep, I hope that's it too.

 

[PabloPicasso]

I would get hold of a tyre pump with a gauge. Then get a Schraeder valve from a Kwikfit and braze it to a suitable bolt that has been drilled through.

I don’t have a sail drive so can’t guarantee it will work but have used this solution in other situations.

I wonder what size/thread the drain plug hole is? I could drill a bolt and attach a pump to that.

 

[PabloPicasso]

This is what the manual shows for removal. Special tools

 

[Yngmar]

I once walked into the authorized Volvo Penta shop with a saildrive leg under my arm, asking if I could borrow their slide hammer (above depicted tool), as my prop shaft housing wasn't coming open easily either. The mechanic laughed at me, took me to his workbench, clamped the leg in a vise and used a cold chisel to split it open.

So while the fancy Volvo Penta slide hammer (which probably costs so much even the authorized workshop couldn't afford one) is probably the best tool, the available tool was good enough

Whack it a bit with a hammer, it'll come out.