Could not wait until spring to start on this shaft project.. .
So, the good news is that I was able to press the coupling off the shaft using my cutlass bearing / prop removal tool. Took 2 days with some adjustments to tooling and approach on day 2, but the coupling came off clean. Terrible, cramped place to work. Took lots of muscle.
I placed a socket in the end of the coupling, sort of blind as it was up against the transmission . I forgot an inspection mirror. I could not budge the shaft on day 1. But I snapped this photo to try and see what was going on. Looks like 1) the socket was too large diameter, and 2) not centered ...so it was pushing on the key as well as the rim of the coupling. On day 2, I used a much smaller diameter socket to ensure it was not hitting the key or the rim of the coupling.
Another note, if you tried to use the transmission output flange, it would be near impossible (at least on a Yanmar 2GM20...there is just enough room behind the output flange to get a nut on the 4 bolts that hold the coupling and tranny output flange together. You cannot run a long bolt into that nut as it will hit the tranny. I suppose you could pull the output flange, and then use it, but I am not sure what is involved with that.
The bad news is that shaft will not clear the rudder...at least not on my first try. I plan to remove the stuffing box and shaft log and see if that gives me any lateral play in the shaft. I am sure I could bend it past the rudder, but if I replace it, which is likely, I need to know how I am going to get the new one in without bending it.
I will post a video of the coupling removal tomorrow. It will be a month before I get back out to remove the stuffing box and shaft log to see if that gives me any room to move the shaft.
Next up....learning how to drop a rudder...damn, I was hoping to avoid that. But I guess it is more practical than trying to move the strut...
Greg