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Metal found when removing lower unit

G

Grantsjeep

New member
Hello everyone, new boat owner, new to the forum.

I have recently acquired a 1989 Astro 16sc with a 1993 Mercury 115 hp 2 stroke. Before I dive to far into this project I removed the lower unit to inspect the impeller. I noticed some small metal shavings on the tops of the lower unit. Once I looked up into the drive shaft area I pulled out what was left of this metal sleeve and bolt. I have reviewed the motor explosion diagram and can not figure out what piece this is. The only thing that is close is the bottom half of the piston, but can’t figure out how it showed up down here in the lower unit area. Any ideas?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vlkpv2ul4szbci3/Photo Dec 31, 6 55 57 PM.jpg?dl=0
 
Welcome. That seems to be a bolt that holds the steering bracket retainer and got wedged in along the driveshaft. Got a picture of the drive shaft where it was rubbing?
 
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Thank you Timguy for your response. It came out of the whole shown below. It looks to me like it was in between the motor and the top of the shaft that leads down to the lower unit.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7lnbsrutckaahvl/Photo Jan 01, 9 02 18 AM.jpg?dl=0

I went out and inspected it more and there is movement in the piece I am pointing at. About a 1/2 an inch up and down if I push on it. Is this normal? Also some more of the bolts came out.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wc6xebzlgvzaqu3/Photo Jan 01, 9 00 18 AM.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sithsxvhlywxepa/Photo Jan 01, 9 03 05 AM.jpg?dl=0

Here is the drive shaft. The scoring starts about 2 1/4 inches down from the tip.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ia83daqms2rjpw5/Photo Dec 31, 6 56 27 PM.jpg?dl=0
 
That retainer has larger bolts... And only 2 of them. I am not too familiar with your model. I appeal to other techs who might know. Are those steel bolts?
 
Could they be a composite? If they were stainless I think they would have done more damage while they were being ground away.
 
The rubbed inside is a shiny metal color, and the outside is a pewderish color. So I don’t think it is a composite.

Thanks faztbullet. I haves looked up end cap and can not find it. Is this on the lower side of the power head, or can I get to this by just removing the crowling?
 
In order for those bolts to get to the driveshaft, there just might be an opening. You say the lower cowling seems loose? Won't hurt to look into that by removal. We appeal to Pappy again.
 
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