Bent prop shaft

[3ric]

I just bought a new to me 2018 Merc 150 outboard 4 stroke. My heart sank this morning when I realized I overlooked a bent prop shaft in the purchase . It appears to be severely bent, about 1/16” or less off center. It shifts great, so I am thinking/hoping the damage may limited to the shaft.
Q1: is this too bent to be straightened?
Q2: what are opinions on aftermarket shafts. OEM ones appear to be about 2-3 times the cost of aftermarket, if aftermarket is a quality option, any recommendations on brands etc?
Q3: anything else I need to look for when I have the thing apart?

 

[racerone]

There may also be damage to gear teeth.----Can't be seen.-----But often results in stripped teeth at a later date.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if the gear teeth are damaged, the bearing took a hard hit too. inspect for brinelling marks.

 

[Chris1956]

Why not see what Sterndrive Engineering (SEI) has in new gearcases?
Price out the replacement prop shaft, three new gears and two bearings, and compare to the replacement cost. Without labor, I will bet it is close.

 

[3ric]

if the gear teeth are damaged, the bearing took a hard hit too. inspect for brinelling marks.

I had to google brinelling. Thanks for the new word!

 

[3ric]

All wise words. Thank you all for the advice. I’ll get her cracked open in about two weeks and see how those gears and bearing surfaces are doing and go from there. You all are great. Thanks!

 

[Chris1956]

Have you rebuilt a gearcase before?

 

[boscoe99]

Propeller shafts are bent all of the time without suffering other damage. Suspect yours is the same. Straighten the shaft or buy new. Boat on.

 

[3ric]

Have you rebuilt a gearcase before?

Yeah, just one though. It was a 1985 Suzuki dt65. Seemed pretty straight forward. Any reason to believe this one will be more complicated or difficult?

 

[Chris1956]

I have no idea of the complexity of the rebuild. However, what I have found is that if you need to replace three gears and the shaft, it will cost nearly as much as a new aftermarket gearcase.

 

[3ric]

I have no idea of the complexity of the rebuild. However, what I have found is that if you need to replace three gears and the shaft, it will cost nearly as much as a new aftermarket gearcase.

Im going to keep my fingers crossed that boscoe99 is right, and that it’s just the shaft.