888 Outdrive Questions

[sweat equity]

hello, 1st time poster but have already learned alot from this site. i am servicing my water pump (mercruiser 888) and noticed some up and down slack in shaft. should this concern me? also found small amount of metal shavings when i removed the prop. how do i inspect lower unit? thank you in advance.

 

[ziggy]

Re: 888 Outdrive Questions

welcome

i think the up and down motion is normal.

metal shavings are never good. down by the prop shavings i think further investigation is necessary. there are brg.'s in the brg. carrier right behind the prop.

you'll need to read up in the service manual to see. you can find a download in the adult's only sticky at the top of the i/o forum. look at #9 then choose your poison. you need a manual for everything you do to your engine/drive. in it you'll find how to service the lower unit along with photos.

while in the adult's only thread, check out the one on pressure testing a drive too. you can find seal leaks this way.

 

[sweat equity]

Re: 888 Outdrive Questions

thanks ziggy, much help, i will pick up manual today.
S.E.

 

[cr2k]

Re: 888 Outdrive Questions

Were the metal shavings in the cavity behind the prop? If so It's time to check the prop and prop shaft. Make sure it's not bent and the shavings are not coming form the prop flange, the part that fits inside the back end of the bullet.

Could be a bad prop hub too.

If shavings are inside lower unit in the oil, a few small flakes are normal, shavings are not.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 888 Outdrive Questions

Yup the up&down shaft motion is normal. Look at the top of the shaft and you will see a small pin protruding from it; that pin is spring loaded and is used to preload the bearing in lower just under w/p base. 'nutcase