Yamaha F225TXRC Lower Unit Disassembly

If you’re planning any kind of overhaul on your Yamaha outboard’s lower unit, you’re going to need to take it apart. 

Watch the video above and follow the steps below to completely disassemble the lower unit of a Yamaha F225 outboard.

Tools – Yamaha F225 Lower Unit Disassembly

• Bearing driver set (including 40mm driver head)
• Upper bearing carrier puller
• Lower bearing carrier puller
• Slide hammer puller
• Bearing separator

NOTE: Besides the special tools listed above, you’ll need the regular tools found in your toolbox, such as ratchets and sockets, pliers, screwdrivers etc. It’s highly recommended you lay out each bolt, washer and part on a work surface in the order you remove them to make the reassembly process simpler. If you don’t have space to lay everything out, put fasteners and parts in separate zip-lock bags and label them so you don’t get things mixed up.

Remove the Lower Unit From the Outboard

Step 1. Drain the oil from the lower unit by removing the drain screw and washer from the front of the gearcase. Wait for the oil to drain out, then reinstall the drain screw and washer.

Step 2. Remove the trim tab and the 14mm bolt beneath the trim tab.

Step 3. Support the lower unit so it won’t fall out, and remove the lower unit mounting bolts. 

Step 4. Carefully lower the gearcase and remove it from the outboard.

Remove the Water Pump

Step 5. Remove the four bolts from the top of the water pump housing, followed by the housing itself.

Step 6. Remove the water pump cartridge, collar, spacer, washers, impeller, woodruff key, wear plate and gasket.

Watch the clip below to see the water pump removal segment of our Yamaha F225 lower unit disassembly video.

Remove the Upper Bearing Housing

Step 7. Remove the four bolts from the top of the bearing housing. Tap the bearing housing to rotate it slightly and break it loose from the lower unit.

Step 8. Remove the bearing housing using an upper bearing carrier puller.

Watch the clip below to see the upper bearing housing removal segment of our Yamaha F225 lower unit disassembly video.

Remove the Prop Shaft Bearing Housing

Step 9. Remove the two bolts from the lower casing prop shaft cap, followed by the cap itself.

Step 10. Remove the two bolts from the prop shaft bearing housing and the bearing housing itself using a lower bearing carrier puller.

Watch the clip below to see the prop shaft bearing housing removal segment of our Yamaha F225 lower unit disassembly video.

Step 11. Remove the three bolts from the shift shaft plate and pry off the plate, being careful not to damage it.

Step 12. Pull the shift shaft out of the lower unit using locking pliers, being careful not to damage the shift shaft splines.

Step 13. Pull the prop shaft out from the lower unit.

Watch the clip below to see the prop shaft & shift shaft removal segment of our Yamaha F225 lower unit disassembly video.

Remove the Drive Shaft & Forward Gear

Step 14. Hold the driveshaft to prevent it from rotating, and remove the 22mm nut and washer from the bottom of the driveshaft inside the gearcase.

Step 15. Pull the driveshaft up and out of the lower unit. 

NOTE: You may have to attach a pair of locking pliers to the driveshaft (on an area that doesn’t connect with any seals or bearings), and tap the pliers with a hammer to break the driveshaft free.

Step 16. Reach into the gearcase, and remove the forward gear and forward gear bearing.

Watch the clip below to see the drive shaft & forward gear removal segment of our Yamaha F225 lower unit disassembly video.

 Remove the Needle Bearing

Step 17. Place a 40mm bearing driver over the needle bearing, and use a length of metal pipe (or something similar) and hammer to tap the bearing down into the gearcase. Remove the needle bearing.

Step 18. Remove the forward bearing race from the gearcase using a slide hammer puller. Once the forward bearing race is removed, reach into the gearcase and remove the shim or shims.

Watch the clip below to see the needle bearing removal segment of our Yamaha F225 lower unit disassembly video.

Remove the Forward Gear & Forward Gear Bearing

Step 19. Remove the forward gear from the forward gear bearing by using a bearing separator and a press to pry them apart. 

NOTE: If this method doesn’t work, you may have to take them to a local Yamaha marine specialist.

Watch the clip below to see the forward gear & forward gear bearing disassembly segment of our Yamaha F225 lower unit disassembly video.

Remove the Reverse Gear & Reverse Gear Bearing

Step 20. Remove the reverse gear from the prop shaft bearing housing using a slide hammer puller, then remove the reverse gear bearing with the slide hammer puller.

Watch the clip below to see the prop shaft bearing housing & reverse gear disassembly segment of our Yamaha F225 lower unit disassembly video.

After disassembling the lower unit and getting the replacement parts you need to service and repair it, you’ll need to reassemble it. Watch our Yamaha F225TXRC lower unit rebuild video below to see how it’s done.