Im new to the site and cant wait to dig into this thing a little more.  I am mechanically inclined unfortanetly. However i know nada about jets! I have owned a 21 ft stepskier for 7 years now and done plenty of motor stuff but nuthin to the pump or drive. I take that back i did replace a wear ring last year. I am running an 8.1 liter vortec by indmar 496 ci with a legend jet drive set back with droop snoot and diverter. Anyways today on the water i was hearing a loud whining sound coming from what i think to be the thrust bearing. i could not accelerate over 4000 rpms also seemed and felt as if there was less flow through the intake or something. I have some cavitation in intake but not much. If i rebuild the pump does the motor have to come out? Or is that just for a reseal? I wanna replace bearings, glands, wear rings, o rings, maybe impellar. Is this fairly simple? Does all this stuff come out at the housing, shaft and all? Please advise. Thanks

What year is your ride.... But depending on how it's set up you need to support your engine and remove the 3 point mount the rear of the engine and that should help give you some room to remove the pump....just picked up a 05 skier myself jet drive