175 hp propellor shaft seals

[backbays]

I had picked up some fishing line towards the end of last season and it wrapped up behind the propeller. I promptly cleared it out and finished the seasons with no noticeable signs of gear oil leakage. When pulled the prop this season I noticed that the rubber on the seal was worn away a bit and the spring was exposed in places. Has anyone replaced the two seals in place without removing the entire carrier assembly? I'm thinking of slide hammering the two seals out and driving the new seals in with an appropriate size pipe nipple? It's a '96 Mercury 175hp offshore. Thank you for any assistance.

 

[fastjeff]

Piece of cake, and the 'guts' don't have to be removed if you are careful. The trick is to drive a sheet metal screw or two into the steel body of the seal and pull it out. The new one can then be tapped in with a suitable length of pipe.

Jeff

 

[backbays]

Thanks, fastjeff, for the vote of confidence. I'll be on it this weekend. I've got one of those brides who swear that every time I try to save money it costs me money.