Cracked bearing carrier, run or replace?

[aidanmurphy]

Cracked my bearing carrier putting it back onto the lower after pressing in the new prop shaft seals. Ordering a new carrier but any tips on what I may be missing? Ending up with a very small gap left when putting the carrier back onto the LU.

 

[jimmbo]

What Engine is that?
What(else) did you remove and reinstall? In the pics, I see the Propshaft, Reverse Gear...

 

[Mc Tool]

When I removed mine I had to clean a lot of crud and corrosion off both the bearing carrier and the inside of the lower unit. I slathered anti seize grease all over the carrier and lower unit ...new O ring , fitted together and wiped off excess .
It might be just that the carrier wouldnt seat properly because of corrosion and or crud . Shouldnt have that gap .
Also possible ,as jimmbo alludes to things are not assembled correctly......washer in the wrong place perhaps.

 

[racerone]

What motor?----Did you turn the motor when tightening those bolts?----Do not run it the way it is now.

 

[aidanmurphy]

It's a 2005 merc 115. When I pulled the bearing carrier out the prop shaft along with the clutch dog / reverse gear / etc pulled out with it. Not going to run the boat with the crack already ordered another one, maybe the new one will slide in better this one did have a good amount of carbon buildup. Did not turn the motor or anything while tightening those bolts, just thought it would pull the carrier up snug but it ended up cracking the housing making me think something has it real stuck

 

[racerone]

Maybe reverse gear was not lined up with pinion.----Slow rotation of crankshaft while slowly tightening might be the way to go.

 

[Nordin]

Yes as racerone says, when installing the carrier you have to turn the crankshaft or the prop shaft sligtly.
The revers gear and the pinion has to connect correct in the tooth.
If the tooth at the pinion and revers gear hit each other top to top the carrier will not go all the way in and if you then force the carrier in with the bolts at the cover you will break the "ears" at the cover.
Also clean the gear housing inside and lube the o-rings at the carrier before assemble it.

 

[aidanmurphy]

Tried again today with the new carrier and got the same issue.... 1/8th inch gap left. Tried turning the shaft while sliding it in. I do notice that when I push the prop shaft in I can get more progress but it springs back a little.

I may still not have something lined up correctly. Is there a specific position the shift shaft needs to be in? I can turn it and see it spinning, not sure if the little tip part of the prop shaft needs to be seated in that in a specific fashion. Will try again tomorrow

 

[aidanmurphy]

Okay got it in easily today. Just had to mess with the shift cam position and keep pushing / turning the prop shaft so that the spring of the clutch dog was compressed a bit, then was able to snug up the carrier. Everything seems to be in order now

 

[Mc Tool]

I love that feeling of success when something that has previously given you grief just clicks into place . Result