Johnson J150EXECD driveshaft play

[pastorbud]

I am replacing seals in a 25" lower unit and wonder if it is normal to have this much movement in the driveshaft. I can wiggle it back and forth, both left-to-right and fore-and-aft. See video.

 

[F_R]

Not normal. Bearing is shot. Maybe the lower one at the pinion also. Needs attention now, before it gets worse, if it hasn't already.

 

[pastorbud]

Things just keep getting better!

 

[pastorbud]

But seriously, thanks. Better to learn about it now than out on the Long Island sound.

 

[racerone]

????----Normal if it has a 2 piece driveshaft !----Best to do that simple / no panic check.

 

[F_R]

Oops!

 

[pastorbud]

Well, if the Crowley Marine diagrams for a 25", 1998 Johnson J150EXECD are to be believed, it is in fact a two-piece driveshaft.

Made my day! And so glad I asked, 'cuz I was about to rip that old monster open.

I did have water in the gearcase, but hopefully a seal kit will fix that. Just ordered one from maxrules.

 

[boobie]

Agree with Racerone. Two piece drive shift.

 

[Faztbullet]

Yep normal....

 

[Chris1956]

PasterBud, When you replace the seal at the driveshaft, the bearing will come out with the bearing housing. You can then check/replace it. The lower driveshaft should fit the bearing precisely.

I would recommend you check/replace the two orings that seal the shift shaft. On my motor, the shift rod cover was corroded to the point where it bund up the shift rod. I had to replace it, as well.

 

[pastorbud]

Thanks! Shift rod moves up and down freely, and shifts forward/reverse as advertised. But I have a new seal kit coming in, and I plan to replace all the seals: shift shaft, driveshaft, prop shaft and bearing carriers.

 

[Chris1956]

Propshaft and bearing carrier seal are a lot harder to replace than driveshaft and shift shaft seals. If it were me, I would pressure test the gearcase and see what needs to be replaced.

 

[pastorbud]

Good idea

 

[racerone]

?---20 year old motors need seal kits installed.-----Gears / shafts and bearings are just too expensive to try and save a few sheckles ?-I mean $$$

 

[pastorbud]

I've done it before on an older Johnson and on a Mercruiser sterndrive.

 

[pastorbud]

How much air pressure should the gearcase hold?

 

[Chris1956]

A few PSI is all you need,

 

[pastorbud]

Roger that