98 175 EFI Broken Cowl Brackets

[EKoselny]

I recently noticed that my rear lower cowl bracket was broken in several places and most of it was completely missing, must have worked its way out of the engine cowl all together. All that was left was about 1/3 of the bracket on the port side, all three mounting holes has sheered off the bolts. I was able to buy a new one and intended to replace this myself. When I removed the lower cowling I see that the front cowl bracket is sheered in half as well. Does anyone know how both of these brackets may have broken like this?

When I tried to remove the three bolts that hold on the rear lower bracket, I found that the bolts are so long that you can not get them out without removing other parts of the motor. Does anyone know how these come out? I am guessing I have reached my limit with being able to do this repair myself?

thanks

[JustDad]

Pretty sure the powerhead has to come up far enough for all the bolts to come out. If the cowl is as heavy as my 99 200EFI was I'm pretty sure that and rough water is what breaks the brackets.

[EuropeanAM]

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