79 chrysler 709h9a prop shaft seal

[brokenwrist]

Went to change the lower unit oil the other day and found pure water in my gear case. It previously had oil in it, I know this because I had checked it. Anyway, I drained the water out, and began filling with oil. As it neared being full, I began seeing oil dripping out from behind the prop. Stopped, pulled the prop and watched as oil was literally running out of the prop shaft seal. Now comes my question for advice because I really don't want to pay a shop almost $300 to replace the seal. Once I pull the bearing cage, can I use a regular bearing and seal driver, to drive the bearing cup, and subsequent prop shaft seal out and back in, or does it really require the specialized tools listed and shown in the repair manual?

 

[Nordin]

After you pulled off the bearing cage (be careful not to break the bolt flanges) the tapered rollerbearing inner race will stay at the prop.shaft.
The outer race will be in the cage and you do not need to pull it to change the propshaftseal.

You can try to pull out the seal by making a nick in the steelcage of the seal and then using a nipper to twist out the seal.
Otherwise you can drill a small hole in the seal lip/steelcage and thread a sheet metal screw in the hole and try to pry the seal out with a vise grip.

 

[brokenwrist]

Thank you Nordin. I have been over my manual, I don't know how many times looking at the procedure and it lists like 5 different special tools and an arbor press to press the bearing cup out, press the seal out and then press them both back in. If I can get away without needing all of these tools, that's awesome.

 

[Nordin]

Before you pull out the old seal. Check how it is oriented. Which way the seal lip should be faced at.

To put the new seal in you can do that with a socket with the same or just a bit smaller outer diameter as the seal.
Press it in with a vise.

Prepair the seat in the cage by sanding it carefully to get a smooth surface and lube the seal outer surface with some oil.
When you start to press in the seal be careful in the begining and check so the seal lines up with the seat.
If it starts to go wrong, back it out and start all over again.
Do not force it in if it does not line up!

 

[brokenwrist]

Thanks info sir, and happy boating. Maybe once I get this finicky motor all settled and fixed, I'll be able to get some photos of it out on the water.