Need Some Help Here . . .

[SabreKai]

I've finally managed to gain access to the back end of my Volvo Penta MD17C, which I am in the process of removing. Here's what I found on the end of the transmission, and I've never seen one of these before.

How does it come apart so I can disconnect the shaft and pull it out, leaving the engine to be removed afterwards?

It appears to be a collett arrangement with a big locking nut on the end.





Looking at it, it appears that the collett arrangement is attached to the rear coupling (fluted aluminum casting) with 4 bolts. If I undo those, is that what separates the engine from the prop shaft? Or do I have to undo that collett and somehow pull the shaft out through the back end?

Like I said, this is a new one on me.

[Daedalusk]

I have never seen this arrangement before either, but I doubt it is a trick trying to trap you into doing the wrong thing. I would guess it is some kind of shock absorber. Those grooves in the collet nut suggest it is to be turned with a spanner wrench, and that is where I would start. This may release the prop shaft so it can be moved aft to clear the housing.

[Lancerbye]

It looks that if you only want to seperate the shaft from the transmission you can do it by removing the bolts but the back half of the coupling will still be attached. To remove the shaft you will have to remove the nut with a brass drift. It is a collet.