How do I get this piece off??

Took my lower unit off this weekend to change the impellor and I could not get the metal rings off under the impellor housing that seat agianst the impellor. I pried on them and they would not BUDGE http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/mad.gif ! I didnt want to break them so I stopped and figures Id get yalls advice b4 I try it agian? Motor is a 2002 Yamaha V-max 150. The only thing I figured is that that were just ciezed on there. Would soaking them in some kind penetrating oil get them loose or is there a trick to it?? http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

Anyone??

You talking about the metal sleeve that goes over the plastic ring? If so, I was told to use a heat gun, or hair dryer. Heat it up, and the metal sleeve will come right off. My dealer also sold me an extra of each part incase they get messed up in the process. They are very inexpensive parts, and he told me that sometimes you just can't help but mess them up in removal.

I just bought all the parts a couple of weeks ago. I need to get around to installing them soon. I actually watched him do one in the shop....It didn't look too bad at all. He just heated it up a little with a heat gun, and used a pair of pliers to slide the sleeve up with.http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

yep that is what I am referring to! Thanks for the tip!