Evinrude 15HP Lower Unit Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement

[27739]

I have a 1996 Evinrude E15REDS outboard. I had a bad shift shaft seal, water got in the lower unit and it sat long enough to rust the bearings. I can replace the forward gear tapered bearing, the reverse gear needle bearing, the prop shaft needle bearing, and the upper driveshaft needle bearing without too much trouble. They all have stops in their housings to know when to stop pressing the bearings in.

I could use some help with the two bearings that support the pinion gear. There are no "stops" in the gearcase housing, the bearings can be pushed all the way through. The shop manual requires a stackup of special factory tools and spacers that show where to stop pulling the bearings. I'm thinking I'll have to measure where the old bearings are before pushing them out. Open to suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Roadking57]

without any of the measuring tools ect you are correct to measure the position of the old ones first. Take pictures, measure from different spots.
Use common sense and you should be able to figure it out. If possible find some washers and stack them as spacers in your fingers insert them between the gear and the location/stop.
Racerone has prob done this before. Maybe He can steer you in the right direction.