40 hp Merc - Splined drive shaft seal

[bone9999]

I have a 1982 40 hp. Mercury 2cyl. that i am having a hard time getting the lower unit to go all the way on with the splined drive shaft seal in place. Without this seal the lower unit slides right on without trouble.

Is this better to have the seal pushed up into place before sliding the lower unit up?

I have tried numerous attempts with the seal slid onto the drive shaft without any luck. Also for some reason my manual doesnt even describe this seal as part of the process. Also everything works as it should without the seal, however i really dont want to jack up the lower bearing by leaving it off.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: 40 hp Merc - Splined drive shaft seal

Not really clear on what you are describing. Can you better describe the "splined drive shaft seal"? There really isn't such a seal as you are describing.

 

[bone9999]

Re: 40 hp Merc - Splined drive shaft seal

Hey Moody thanks for the reply, but i actually got it this morning and all is working. I must not have used enough elbow grease yesterday.

It took quite a bit of looking to find the name of the seal, so i am not sure if thats the correct name. But anyway, its more or less a bushing that has spline grooves cut about halfway down the inside of it. It slides onto the drive shaft. I believe its purpose is for keeping debris or water from getting into the lower main bearing?

The seal seamed to be catching on something as i would slide the drive shaft up into place so the lower unit would not mate completely with the drive shaft housing.