cobra sx lower unit damage

[sheepshagger]

Please Help! I have a '98 sx cobra which ran aground at less than 5mph onto a bank of sand and small stones. I switched the engine off after about three seconds and jumped into the water to inspect the damage. The aluminium prop was resting on the bed up to the level of the bottom of the lower unit. The prop is damaged (gouges and wear of the leading edges but has still retained its shape). The boat still ran ok to get me back to the slip at about 5mph and no vibrations, reverse ok too. Props can be replaced but I'm concerned about a burst oil seal and 1mm of end play on the prop shaft...I can move the prop shaft from side to side, up and down, and in and out by 1mm and when doing this oil leaks out of the prop shaft seal. Do you think this is a back to the dealer rebuild (quoted $900)or something I could fix myself. I want to get back out on the water asap! Worth mentioning is that I had never checked endplay on the prop before this happened and the lower unit had a large chunk of the skeg missing when I bought the boat. Sorry for the long post

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: cobra sx lower unit damage

1mm is almost nothing. prop seals can easily be replaced but the proper way is to remove the carrier assembly, press them out and press in new ones.
sometimes you can pry the outer one out by itself

 

[sheepshagger]

Re: cobra sx lower unit damage

Thanks so much for your response. I think I'll try to replace just the seal in situ first. I dont have the special tool to remove the bearing housing so will be using a slide puller with a hook to attempt removal and a socket to press the new seal into the housing. If that doesn't work is there any alternative method to remove the housing without using the tool that isn't going to cause damage or do you think I'd be better off taking it to the dealer? If I take it to the dealer would I be better replacing the bearings at the same time? Once again thanks for taking the time to respond...I'm working to a very tight budget and appreciate all the advice I can get.