Speedometer pickup assembly broken

[CaptainJS]

Hi all,

I have a 1996 115 hp Mercury OB, with the plastic speedometer pickup assembly broken.

(see the link if you dont know what it is).

It is a plastic assembly where the thread is also made of plastic that goes into the lower gear, and that plastic is broken (the plastic rectangular piece broke off the plastic thread). So I have the plastic tread left inside the lower unit, and i have no idea how to get it out?

Any suggestions how to get it out?

Thanks.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Welcome to the group.

There are two ways to do this. One if you are very careful you can use a small punch or chisel and carefully back the threaded section out by hooking the threads with the chisel and tapping it with a hammer. But doing that risks damaging the threads of your outboard lower. No insult intended, but if you have to ask this question, you may not be a candidate for this process.

The safer choice is to use a specialized tool. They are relatively cheap (¼" is $6.99 on line) and can be gotten for an auto parts or hardware store. You can use a thread extractor like an Easy Out to remove the damaged part. Easy outs are basically screws with left hand threads.

You will need the proper size hole for the extractor, so you should measure the existing hole as best as possible so you can buy the proper size extractor. If the hole is too large for the extractor, it won't work. If the hole is too small you can drill it, but only if enough material is left for the extractor to engage without damaging the threads. Although there already is a hole in the plastic threads you still should drill the hole to the proper size for the extractor. It screws in "backwards". You keep screwing it in and as it locks into the plastic it will then unscrew the plastic bit.

 

[CaptainJS]

Welcome to the group.

There are two ways to do this. One if you are very careful you can use a small punch or chisel and carefully back the threaded section out by hooking the threads with the chisel and tapping it with a hammer. But doing that risks damaging the threads of your outboard lower. No insult intended, but if you have to ask this question, you may not be a candidate for this process.

The safer choice is to use a specialized tool. They are relatively cheap (¼" is $6.99 on line) and can be gotten for an auto parts or hardware store. You can use a thread extractor like an Easy Out to remove the damaged part. Easy outs are basically screws with left hand threads.

You will need the proper size hole for the extractor, so you should measure the existing hole as best as possible so you can buy the proper size extractor. If the hole is too large for the extractor, it won't work. If the hole is too small you can drill it, but only if enough material is left for the extractor to engage without damaging the threads. Although there already is a hole in the plastic threads you still should drill the hole to the proper size for the extractor. It screws in "backwards". You keep screwing it in and as it locks into the plastic it will then unscrew the plastic bit.

WOW, this is exactly what I needed. I will go with the extractor..

MANY thanks, its really appreciated!