1998 115 Lower Unit question

[jh8302]

I have a 115 hp Tracker / Mercury Marine 4cly and the lower unit has started making a knocking noise in forward gear. I took it to a local marine shop and they listened to it and told me that I need to replace the lower unit and wants to sell me a used one for $850 w/ core exchange plus labor.

I was wanting to know if there is a cheaper alternative such as tearing it apart and replacing parts or if it would be just as cheap to buy the used one. I hate to spend $850 for a used LU with only a 30 day warranty. Please help me out on this one.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1998 115 Lower Unit question

It sounds like a chipped pinion gear, I would find a shop to repair it at lest get a estimate first and be very weary of the first place.

 

[jh8302]

Re: 1998 115 Lower Unit question

I talked to 3 different mechanics on the phone and they said that you cannot buy just the pinion gear, you have to buy the gear set which will run $400- $600 plus labor. I don?t want to pay someone to open it up just to tell me that I need to replace the whole unit.