Let me first say this boat spent most of its life is salt water, so things are a bit corroded.
My propeller shaft is loose and seeps drive oil out around it, so I figured I would pull it out, check the bearings and replace all seals,,, sounds simple enough (all things considered).
I bought the tool for the carrier spanner nut and tried to take it off,,, it didn't budge,,,, I put my jack handle on as an extension,,,, no movement. So, plan b is to drill holes in that nut to relieve pressure. Well, there is a lip on mine that I had to grind down in order to get a flat enough area that my center punch and drill would do any good. After several attempts I finally got that nut out of there and things were looking better. I move on to the carrier, and it doesn't budge either. I try a few things with no luck, and plenty of frustration building. Realizing my bearings have some play in them, I figure I can hammer the carrier in deeper just to break it loose, then try again to pull it out. Hammer, punch, air hammer, more air hammer,,,, no movement. hmmmm,,,, So I stick the thing in my 12 ton shop press (the tool pressing on a ring, that is pressing evenly around the carrier, so no worries of warping or breaking it due to uneven pressure). 3 attempts each applying more pressure and the thing isn't moving! I finally say the heck with it and crank down on that thing to the point things might go flying, then smacked it with a hammer a few times and I didn't see or feel any movement, but upon check on the shaft, there was no more play in it and it seemed just right. It had moved about 1/16 of an inch and tightened things up nicely, but not too much as it rotates nice and smooth.
My question is this,,,,, do you think this little adjustment that has taken the play out of the shaft is enough to help the seal actually seal around the shaft? The reason I ask is that carrier is not going to come out of there without destroying it, and likely the housing. If the shaft is now centered in the seal, and not wollering it out, it should be ok. The bearings are smooth, and everything seems good. I am thinking I will stick a new nut on it and run it till it gives out, then replace the complete lower unit.
Any other bright ideas as to a good way to get that thing out of there, or do I cut my losses and hope the seal will hold?
My propeller shaft is loose and seeps drive oil out around it, so I figured I would pull it out, check the bearings and replace all seals,,, sounds simple enough (all things considered).
I bought the tool for the carrier spanner nut and tried to take it off,,, it didn't budge,,,, I put my jack handle on as an extension,,,, no movement. So, plan b is to drill holes in that nut to relieve pressure. Well, there is a lip on mine that I had to grind down in order to get a flat enough area that my center punch and drill would do any good. After several attempts I finally got that nut out of there and things were looking better. I move on to the carrier, and it doesn't budge either. I try a few things with no luck, and plenty of frustration building. Realizing my bearings have some play in them, I figure I can hammer the carrier in deeper just to break it loose, then try again to pull it out. Hammer, punch, air hammer, more air hammer,,,, no movement. hmmmm,,,, So I stick the thing in my 12 ton shop press (the tool pressing on a ring, that is pressing evenly around the carrier, so no worries of warping or breaking it due to uneven pressure). 3 attempts each applying more pressure and the thing isn't moving! I finally say the heck with it and crank down on that thing to the point things might go flying, then smacked it with a hammer a few times and I didn't see or feel any movement, but upon check on the shaft, there was no more play in it and it seemed just right. It had moved about 1/16 of an inch and tightened things up nicely, but not too much as it rotates nice and smooth.
My question is this,,,,, do you think this little adjustment that has taken the play out of the shaft is enough to help the seal actually seal around the shaft? The reason I ask is that carrier is not going to come out of there without destroying it, and likely the housing. If the shaft is now centered in the seal, and not wollering it out, it should be ok. The bearings are smooth, and everything seems good. I am thinking I will stick a new nut on it and run it till it gives out, then replace the complete lower unit.
Any other bright ideas as to a good way to get that thing out of there, or do I cut my losses and hope the seal will hold?
