1987 88 spl lower unit seal replacement

[Afzape]

I am replacing all the seals in the lower unit of the engine stated in the title. I have the seal kit and a factory service manual. I have or can get my hands on all the pullers, drivers, etc. But, I ran into one snag....I don't have and can't get in a decent amount of the tool to set the shim backlash on the drive shaft. My question is really this. If I put the same shims back in that came out shouldn't the backlash spacing be the same as it was? I'm not understanding how the shim spacing would change just from disassembling and re-assembling and NOT changing any drive gears.

I am only removing and replacing seals. Anyone have any clue on this one. I guess I could take the drive shaft down to the local mech and have him set the shim spacing if I really have to. But I'm not replacing any gearing so all the tolerances should stay the same. Please correct me if I'm wrong because this is the first time I'm doing this.


Hopefully it will be the last because the gigantic snap rings in the propeller bearing housing is a big pain in the a**!!!!

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 1987 88 spl lower unit seal replacement

Shimming your 88hp gearcase requires the special tool, but also the driveshaft has to be removed from the gearcase, the pinion reattached, and the bearings and carrier installed. The whole assembly is then laid into the special tool holder. Shimming only has to be done when gears are replaced.

You aren't doing any of that while changing seals, are you? Chances are you are only removing the driveshaft bearing carrier and replacing those 2 seals, right? Then just be sure the same shims are reinstalled.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1987 88 spl lower unit seal replacement

If I am just replacing seals, I don't worry about the shimming process.

 

[Afzape]

Re: 1987 88 spl lower unit seal replacement

That is what I thought. Thanks for the reassurance. Internet forums are great!