Big crack right next to prop

[sooner1_us]

I posted this on the mercury part, but no response yet maybe someone here can help.... I was inspecting my boat last nite when i noticed a big crack on what i think to be the bearing carrier. Id like any help as to what i need to do. Its a 1994 115 Mercury Tracker, any help is much appreciated!!

 

[Expidia]

Re: Big crack right next to prop

It's hard for me to tell if this is a similar part to the one I found a crack in (both ears where bolts go through were cracked).

Look through this thread I posted a couple of weeks ago:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=475989&p=3221587#post3221587

A poster showed me a site that sells the bearing carrier (at least that's what mine was called).
I had a Merc shop do it but you could save money and order the part yourself.
Keep in mind that if it is the bearing carrier and it's cracked then water might be seeping into the lower unit and you want to drain it out fast or you will corrode the bearings.

If the part is the collar like mine was you are in danger of losing not only the prop, but the entire shaft too. Just 2 bolts held mine in and if I had put it in reverse I would have lost those parts. I just happened to notice the cracks when I was installing the prop that I touched up over the winter.