Volvo Outdrive Maintenance Question

[Laconia Formula]

Last fall I discovered water in my outdrive. It had to come off and have new seals installed. According to the manual, you can use a plastic hammer/mallet to remove the pins. Well after 6 hours of heat, pounding with a custom punch and small sledge hammer, we finally removed the outdrive. No way, no how was any plastic hammer/mallet ever going to remove those pins. The boat spent sometime in brackish waters and do not know if the drives were ever removed. My question is once the drive is repaired, should I grease the pins, ream the hole slightly wider or put grease fittings on the housing? I never want to go through that again. Would be glad to post a picture of the custom tool if anyone is interested. Also, should I move the pins in and out every season just to keep them from locking up? I wanted to hear from others as to what they do for maintenance.

 

[GSENT]

I would not ream the holes. I would clean them up and cote with never sieze to aid in the removal next time.
Was there locktite n the threads?

 

[Laconia Formula]

I did not see any locktite, although not sure why there would be any, they are just pins. I believe the main problem is the pins are metal and the housing is aluminum and when you add light salt, you get corrosion and metal fusing together.