OMC Driveshaft Roll Pin Installation

[aquasonic]

I have a driveshaft with a roll pin that is broken in half lengthwise. I read somewhere that they are easily broken during installation. Looking for some advice on installation. Should the pin just be crimped with needle nose vise grips? Thanks.

[david-bartlett]

I believe the "breaking" happens when trying to reinsert the drive shaft into the powerhead without lining the pin up with the slot in the gearcase.

[frankr]

I’ve seen them broken for no obvious reason. Just press a new one in. Don’t mash it with anything like pliers or vise grips.

[aquasonic]

quote FrankR:

I’ve seen them broken for no obvious reason. Just press a new one in. Don’t mash it with anything like pliers or vise grips.

Thank you Frank. Is it best to just compress the roll pin ‘by hand’ ?

[frankr]

I don’t think it needs to be compressed at all–just align it and press it in.

[Mumbles]

I find it easiest to hold the pin with a pair of needle nose pliers while tapping it in with a small hammer. Supporting the shaft on a block of wood in the immediate area stops it from bouncing all over the work bench to. It might not matter but I also like to install the pin with the split in it facing down.

[aquasonic]

Here’s the situation. I noticed the broken pin after the gearcase and driveshaft were already installed. I’m hoping that the pin can be installed with the driveshaft in place. If necessary, I’ll have to backtrack and take things apart again. I think that’s what they call learning by negative reinforcement. 😥

[Mumbles]

Yup, undo the four bolts and shift connector so you can lay the gearcase down on a bench or tailgate. Here’s where the 2 X 4 block comes in handy to support the shaft. Shouldn’t take much more than fifteen minutes. 😀

[fleetwin]

I’m confused, and not sure I understand exactly what you are describing….I’m assuming you are saying that the gearcase is reassembled, but not reinstalled on the engine, and you have noticed the broken roll pin. If I am correct, it might be easiest to clamp the top of the driveshaft in a vise while an assistant holds the gearcase so it doesn’t move around/pull the driveshaft out of the vise. Now, you can use a small punch to drive the roll pin out of the top of the gearcase. Before installing the new OEM roll pin, be sure the water pump is in place! Install the new roll pin using the good advice already posted.
Let me know if I am not understanding what you are describing, perhaps a picture or two might help clarify…

[aquasonic]

Yea, let me clarify here. The gearcase with new hypoid oil and waterpump has already been bolted onto the LU, and the shift rod is in place with the two brass nuts. In short, I was ‘ready’ to install the carbon seal assembly, followed by the powerhead. I noticed ‘late in the game’ that the roll pin was split in half longitudinally. Removal was easy with hemostats.

There is some play in the driveshaft at the top, and I was hoping to be able to push the driveshaft aside a little, and push the roll pin in from above. It looks like there is enough room, but it may not be possible. I know that there is not enough clearance to swing a small hammer in there.

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