Trying to Identify Parts

[scarpint]

I'm replacing the impeller on by boat (listed in my sig line) and I was having trouble getting the two halves of the lower unit to mate up. Looked up into the upper half and found these two pieces just hanging there near the spline/gear.

Looks like a rubber seal and retainer spring to me and it would appear they go around the opening that the drive shaft passes through when mating the two halves of the lower unit. Unfortunately, I don't see them on the microfiche.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

There are actually 2-seals there, the bottom is acessible from outside, the top seal you have to take the upper apart to do.

You may just have an issue with the bottom seal. You will have to remove the rest of that seal, and pick up a new one from the local Mercruiser dealer, pretty common and they should have it. You can use a socket/extension combo the same size diameter as the seal and tap the new one in place.

the upper seal looks like P# 26-32511 or GLM 85020

the lower seal you need is P# 26-96503 or GLM 85060

check out this similar thread with the same issue:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=374168&page=3

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

Same happened to me. I believe it is the 26-965031, #6 here: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...br=80&bdesc=DRIVESHAFT+HOUSING+AND+DRIVESHAFT The steel shell is probably still in there. Seems like I just used a screwdriver to pop it out, and tapped in a new one as Erik suggests.

 

[scarpint]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

Same happened to me. I believe it is the 26-965031, #6 here: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...br=80&bdesc=DRIVESHAFT+HOUSING+AND+DRIVESHAFT The steel shell is probably still in there. Seems like I just used a screwdriver to pop it out, and tapped in a new one as Erik suggests.

Aw, you guys are getting me out of my comfort zone. Are you saying I need to remove some components from the upper half of the lower unit to replace these seals, or can I get at everything from underneath?

 

[scarpint]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

OK, picked up new seal at lunch. Based on that, these parts appear to be from the old, lower seal. And yes, the steel part must still be in there. Looks like another night with my boat :facepalm:

Thanks for the notes. What a great forum!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

Yeah that would be it. You do not have to take anything more apart. If the upper and lower are still separated, as I recall I was able to get a long screwdriver in there and just pry the old shell out, was pretty easy as I recall went in from the front, but pretty fuzzy now. Old age :facepalm:.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf this might help

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

Theory: That seal (sometimes) gets messed up when putting the halves back together if the O-ring below the splines on the vertical drive shaft is installed and attempts to make its way past the seal (it just doesn't always seem to work its way into where it belongs). If you have an o-ring groove on the vertical shaft (your vintage/era alpha one typically has that o-ring groove), it is recommended NOT to install that o-ring. It is really not needed, and the later shafts (and replacements) do not even have that o-ring groove anymore.
Even so...because that seal was so trashed in your upper, you should give a really good look-see at your splines to make sure they are not corroded from water intrusion in that area. Would hate to have those strip out on you in the middle of the lake!
(and why are you still using micro-fiche?? That's so obsolete!)

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

There is a tool made for pulling seals just to let you know but you can use whatever works:

 

[scarpint]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

There is a tool made for pulling seals just to let you know but you can use whatever works:

Yes that's a nice tool, but I used my Cub Cadet tool to get the seal out. After struggling with a couple of different tools, I grabbed this off my snowblower. Took all of 5 seconds to get it out.

Thanks!

 

[scarpint]

Re: Trying to Identify Parts

Theory: That seal (sometimes) gets messed up when putting the halves back together if the O-ring below the splines on the vertical drive shaft is installed and attempts to make its way past the seal (it just doesn't always seem to work its way into where it belongs). If you have an o-ring groove on the vertical shaft (your vintage/era alpha one typically has that o-ring groove), it is recommended NOT to install that o-ring. It is really not needed, and the later shafts (and replacements) do not even have that o-ring groove anymore.
Even so...because that seal was so trashed in your upper, you should give a really good look-see at your splines to make sure they are not corroded from water intrusion in that area. Would hate to have those strip out on you in the middle of the lake!
(and why are you still using micro-fiche?? That's so obsolete!)

But it's fun to say....Too late on the "O" ring. I put it back into the unit tonight before I read your post. I did check the gears from below and noted NO rust. There was lots of grease on the shaft when I pulled it out, and made sure there was a generous amount when I reinstalled. I have no idea how long that seal had been torn up, but the new one went in fairly easy. We'll yank it all out in another couple of years when I replace the impeller.

Thanks for your comments everyone. Got things back to together tonight and all seems to be working, at least in the driveway