Lower Unit?

[JCSkeeter313]

Hey everybody i have a '89 mariner 175 V6. i was wondering if a person with decent mechanical skills could go through the lower unit and replace all of the seals and gaskets without having to buy special tools and loads of labor time involved. i am trying to compare doing it myself to having someone else do it. also should a person replace a impeller every year or every other year. thanks for any info.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Lower Unit?

I would say yes, if the carrier comes out OK, first invest in a manual, read the lower unit section thru and take your time during the operation---Bob

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Lower Unit?

There is one that you can't get around and that's the spanner wrench that takes out the ring nut in front of the prop. Without it, you'll destroy the ring nut you have and never get a new one tight enough. Another tricky one is the shiftshaft bushing tool, although one of those would be fairly easy to fabricate. Other than those, all you need is conventional tools.

 

[MortenH]

Re: Lower Unit?

You can use a drill and with some care drill out some parts of the ring nut. I have done that with great success. (Take care not to damage the housing!) A new ring nut is not very expensive. <br />I managed to replace all gears, the ratchet and all gaskets in my 115 i6 lower unit in about 3 afternoons, and I am a rookie when it comes to outboards. I had the local Merc dealer help me tighten the new ring nut for a few bucks.<br /><br />-M-