Johnson 15 Lower unit year interchangeability?

[Embarq82]

i have a 1976 Johnson 15 and need to purchase another Lower unit. The prop shaft on the lower broke off right before nut and that’s more than I can take care of myself.

Which year Johnson 15 lower unit will work on my 1976? I see lots of 80s and 90s on eBay.

Andrew

 

[racerone]

1974 to about 2005 will fit.-----Changing the propshaft is easy in my opinion.

 

[kbait]

Relatively straightforward to replace propshaft, as you don’t have to remove forward or pinion gear or shift fork. Read this..
https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Lower_unit.htm

 

[Embarq82]

Thanks for replies.

if I can find that puller for cheap maybe I’ll attempt it. Is it difficult to remove

 

[flyingscott]

I have used my flywheel puller to get those out and have had pretty good luck. Get some threaded rod, nuts and washers. Cut 2 pieces of threaded rod so they are even with the propshaft. Put the nuts on the threaded rod about 3" down on the rods then put the washers on. Put the puller on over the propshaft and put the prop nut on. Now turn the nuts out evenly until the carrier comes out. Most auto parts stores have a loaner tool program which gets you the puller for basically free. So the only cost should be the rod, nuts and washers. Should be able to pull the carrier for less than $10.



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[Embarq82]

This is where it broke. I’m not sure I can even use the type of puller you described because all the threads are on the broken off portion.

 

[flyingscott]

Use the same puller and put a vise grips very tight on the shaft. When you get the carrier removed, smooth out any burrs before you pull the shaft out. Leaving a burr will cost you a seal and possibly a bearing. So file or sand any burrs left from the vise grips.

 

[Embarq82]

So I didn’t even need a puller at all. My neighbor is really good mechanically and just ended up using a mallet and the bearing carrier came right out. Ordered a new shaft on eBay and it does look straight forward, not as complicated as I thought it would be at all.