Reply To: Solved – Can’t drop lower gear case 1957 RDE-19

[Ghost_n_the_shell]

Don wrote:

I really don’t believe that shift rod connector is causing the issue, but anything is possible.  Like others have said, remove the other bolt also and see if that helps.

I’m hoping the driveshaft is not stuck into the crankshaft…

How many bolts hold this gearcase in place?  5 or 7?  There is the one through bolt towards the rear, was that a bolt that you removed, or a stud with a nut on it?  If it is a stud, salt may have built up around the stud jamming it into the exhaust housing, preventing you from removing the gearcase.

I removed 6 bolts. Along the bottom of the bullet. I removed the bottom bolt in the brass coupler (everything I read said don’t remove the top one – but I trust the manual obviously you’ve shown me).

I have NOT removed that bolt in the rear (shown in the photo). Is that required to come out?