removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

[fishy91]

Help please!! I relized I was leaking gear case oil between my prop. I have I did go tho the marine shop and purchased the two proper seals within the bearing case of the lower unit. I have tried like heck to remove these seals and have had no luck.

I figured must remove the bearing housing in order to do so. I relize there are four bolds inside the bearing housing that should be removed to take remove the bearing housing. No matter how hard I pull I cannot budge this housing.
1- is there an easier way to remove these old seals w/o removing the bearing housing? maybe 3-jaw pliers??
2- are there any tricks in removing this housing if it doed need to be removed?
3- I noticed that at the front of the bearing housing there are two tapped holes. Is there a special tool to leaver it out?

This seems to be a lot harder than it needs to be.....

 

[F_R]

Re: removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

I understand the dealers have a way to get the seals out nowadays with a special puller. We didn't have that luxery when I was in the business. Anyhow, the two holes are for a puller. Dealers use their flywheel puller with long bolts. You can do the same with a harmonic balancer puller from an auto parts store.

 

[fishy91]

Re: removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

Thank you for the response! So the bearing case HAS to be pulled in order to change these seals sucessfull OR can the the seals be removed without this action?

Also, after the seals are pulled will I need any special tools put in the new seals w/o damage?

Thanks so much

 

[Dhadley]

Re: removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

Yes, a dealer can - as stated - change those seals without pulling the carrier. That being said, there are several places those units can leak from. Since you already have the 4 screws out you'll need those 4 o rings. Getting the seating area clean may be a bit of a challenge without pulling the carrier. Once you get it all back together you can have it pressure & vaccume checked to make sure it's sealed.

 

[F_R]

Re: removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

Oops, I didn't notice that you had the retaining bolts out. You may have fun getting those things back in without going the whole nine yards and pulling the carrier. They screw into a retainer that sort of floats around in there. You need to install guide pins in it before putting the carrier back in.

Are you getting the idea you would have been better off taking it to the shop?

 

[fishy91]

Re: removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

OK, the retaining bolts have been loosened, but not removed as of yet. I can easly tighten them back up and just as well not take out the bearing carrier out.

Knowing this, would it be easier to finf a way to just remove the old seals or would it be easier to remove the whole bearing carrier?

If just removing the seals w/o using a special tools is there a make-shift way??

 

[F_R]

Re: removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

Dig them out in little pieces and risk damaging the carrier.

 

[fishy91]

Re: removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

Alright, at this point I reaaly do not know what my next move is. I already have the two seals and gear case oil bought. The bearing carrier is not removed as of yet nor bolts. How much do you think a dealer would charge to finish the job? (right now I am loosing courage in all of what you are saying.)

 

[Dhadley]

Re: removing bearing case seals on 85 70hp johnson outboard VRO

The part you have to decide on is once 2 of those screws are removed, do you have a way to clean the seating area? (A long brush on a drill etc) If you're comfortable with that you can get the 4 screws back in with new O rings and sealer. Then take it to a dealer to have him use the tool to replace the propshaft seals. Or you can remove the carrier if you have a puller and some heat.

Now, if the dealer was going to remove the carrier anyway (doesn't have the tool etc) then it's a moot point.