Question about mating upper to lower alpha one gen one drive

[1973 Browning Marine]

I got my lower unit last Saturday and installed it last night. I apparently knocked off a small spring that goes on the lowest seal on the upper unit. I guess it is there to keep water from entering where the vertical shaft on the lower mates to the upper. Question: How critical is the small round spring on this particular seal and what does the seal actually do? Will the drive hold pressure? Does the seal just keep the male spline shaft and the female clean? The seal is still intact but the small stainless steel spring that goes around the seal got stretched out so I could not use it. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. thanks, Tom

 

[kghost]

The seal in question is there to keep grease on the splines and keep water from removing the grease on the splines.

It is a very easy seal to replace and because the spring is sprung I would replace it!!

When replacing it be very careful to to remeber which way the seal lip faces!!!!

Pry it out with a screw driver (carefully) and just tap the new one into place the same depth as the old one.........

 

[1973 Browning Marine]

Thanks kghost for the quick response. I kind of figured that would be the answer but wanted to see if I would be able to get away with something! lol Nope! Oh by the way, the newer lower unit is shifting nicely but I will do as you recommended and install the seal before taking for the water. thanks again, Tom

 

[1973 Browning Marine]

Update: I forgot that I had a spare upper unit in my shed which had the spring that I damaged on the original. The upper is still mounted to boat and did not want to have to take it off unless absolutely necessary. Anyway, removed upper water tube from bottom of upper drive. I know about snapping any of the four 3/8 screws would be a disaster but was fortunate enough to get them all out without any problems. Reached my hand up inside casing, had a flashlight in my mouth, held the spring with two fingers and took a skinny long screwdriver and ever so carefully was able to get it to go into place. Don't ask me how I did it but it is done! lmao! Also, the seal looked really good and I feel confident that it should work correctly. I was alot more careful this time installing the lower making sure not to bugger anything up this time around. Oh boy, not easy especially when you are trying to do it by yourself. Also, the garage I am working out of is pretty freaken dark. Couldn't see a darn thing without a flashlight. (flourescent lights are all shot) Anyways, hopefully dodged a bullet this time around. Just hate waiting for the darn parts to ship. It gets old! lol I'm pretty late in getting in the water this year because of the drive impact that I posted earlier but I feel that I am getting closer. Just wanted to thank you again for all of your support. sincerely, Tom