MC1, Pre Alpha Water around Driveshaft

[IBDilbert]

Last year when doing work on my lower unit I noticed water had been getting in and around the driveshaft. Thinking it was just the bellows I replaced them all, but never did find a tear in the driveshaft bellow. I used the boat a few more times before putting it away for the season. This year I kept tripping the shift interrupt prematurely and it appears the shift cable has a lot of resistance. I've decided to replace it and removed the lower unit to find water inside the driveshaft area again. The bellows looks good, the outdrive gasket didn't look compromised, any chance it could be leaking around the shift linkage? Is there a seal kit I should be looking for?

 

[Bt Doctur]

did you glue the large rubber ring in place

 

[IBDilbert]

I did not. Didn't realize I should have. I did glue the bellows with the bellows glue, should of I used the same glue?

 

[achris]

Judging by the 'tide marks' of the water inside those bellows, you need to replace the gimbal bearing, both unis and the bellows (the water got in somewhere, and I doubt that much would have made it passed the rubber seal). You'll also need to pull the gear end of the yoke apart and replace the yoke seal and clean up the seal surface (it'll be pitted and rusty, and chew up a new seal in a very quick time)...

I also see residual of water in the shift slide cavity, that white powder is aluminium oxide.. I'd be checking the upper shift shaft seal, and the shift cable threads for a leak too.

Lots of work for you...

Chris.......

 

[IBDilbert]

The gimbal bearing is shot, I can feel it when I turn it. I was wondering if there was some kind of seal on the top of the shift linkage. I'll have to track that part down. I have a feeling the shift cable threads are so corroded it will fight me getting that piece out. The u-joints feel good, but I have replacements in a box, somewhere... My main concern is trying to figure out where it leaked.

 

[achris]

The unis were sitting in the water. The hardened bearing surfaces will have pits, they will fail shortly. Replace now and save yourself the drama later. You may still have the old style shift shaft seal, if so, put the updated one in.

Chris......

Old style shift seal



New style shift shaft seal...


New seal and carrier...

 

[IBDilbert]

I will find those parts today. This morning I've had the pleasure of rounding off the shift cable nut as expected. Can't wait to get that thing out and bugger up some threads....

 

[Rick Stephens]

Probably have a lot of water in the drive lube as well.

 

[IBDilbert]

Found the issue. Just put new billows on last year, must of nicked it and didn't know. So far everything has been pretty easy to get too. (probably just jinxed myself). And no water in the outdrive oil, nice color and not cloudy at all. I'll take that as a good sign.

 

[achris]

Looks like a screwdriver nick. Use a 5/16" socket on an extension next time. Sockets don't slip off the clamp worm head like screwdrivers.

Chris.......