How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.........

[dtnel]

Model 1990 48SPL E48ESLESA

I have my lower unit driveshaft removed and the area where the needle bearing sits just above the thrust bearing near the top of the shaft. My main question is how much is to much? I have used a little bit of strip sandpaper used for cleaning up roughness, 120 grit I believe. I can lightly see the outline of where each needle bearing sat against the shaft. WHen I bought the unit it had the plastic nut on the shift rod backed out I had found after a water test which had been performed due to initially the unit draining water when I purchased it.

I don't really want to spoend $465 on a new driveshaft unless it's really necessary. If I were to try to run it how soon would I realize that it would work or not? I am also having to replace the forward gear. From looking at the forward gear and reverse gearthey look the same with the exception of the sleeve. Can the sleeve be removed on a new reverse gear and it installed in the forward position? I am also getting a new dog gear. I have the seal kit, water pump. I plan on replacing the thrust washers, all bearings and races being it was in the water.

With the Torrington bearings the lower unit uses can I just take those numbers to Malloy Bearing and replace with equal or cross referenced or are the bearings of a "certain grade" where they have to be of marine grade or is there such a type

If I knew how to add photos of the shaft I would to help speed the process. I'd like to get this boat on the water sometime this weekend if possible if I can find the parts I need.

Any help appreciated. Thanks !!

 

[durban]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

use a strip of glass sand paper difficult for me to say is good or bad get avice from a automotive engine re builder if any of the rollers have pitting replace them

 

[dtnel]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

use a strip of glass sand paper difficult for me to say is good or bad get avice from a automotive engine re builder if any of the rollers have pitting replace them

I'll post some pics shortly as I've read the how to for posting pics over here and it appears the same as many other sites I've dealt with before.......

 

[bob johnson]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

a new drive shatf for my 115 hp was only about $275.....why is yours so much?????

buy it on ebay if need be.

id sand the drive shaft on a lathe where the seal rubs..and then use new seals...should be fine....you are using all new bearings and seals....you should be good to go......was there metal in the LU?

good luck

bob

 

[dtnel]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

The seal don't rub there. It's where the needle bearing sits. The unit was full of water unbeknown to me as I purchased it last weekend and took it out after discovering the water and filling with oil. This was a test drive and it started banging which after taing it apart I've discovered the forward gear and dog gear are bad. I'll be posting pics soon. Need to do a few other things around here first this AM to keep the chief (wife) happy as she isn't the happiest that this has turned into more money after we were told the boat ran good......

 

[dtnel]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

Here's the link to the photos. I hope this works.

This is the dog gear

 

[dtnel]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

Driveshaft,

Note the pitting where the needle bearing is near the top. Some pics are with Flash on and others off.

 

[dtnel]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

Forward Gear, with and w/out flash

Reverse Gear with and w/out flash

All help appreciated, Thanks

 

[bob johnson]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

yeah I wouldnt sand too much where the bearing rides!!.....tough call... i can feel the depth of the pits....so cant say what effect on the bearings it would be....shaft will wobble a little if you dont have a nice fit there.....

really thinking it isnt that bad......

good luck

bob

 

[Bama Hound]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

As already said easy with the abrasives. I have seem worse, you really have to feel. I think the discoloration where needles sat makes it look worse than it really is. The only way to really know would be to use a micrometer on it and know what a new shaft would mic at. Don't know where you could get those numbers. This is my gut feeling only. I would go with it if it were mine. You missed your calling you should be a photographer. Great detail.

 

[dtnel]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

I woud up ordering a new set of gears and bearings for $485 on Friday and I'll have them today (Monday) as the guy I ordered from gets free overnight shipping even if it was the weekend. Had a buddy quick sandblast the bearings and it wasn't near as bad as it appears in the photos. Wish I could find a bearing puller for the front 2 bearings that mount in the lower unit housing for the propeller shaft. This has been my Number 1 task for 3 days and no lyuck yet. Even checked the boat shops and they asked why I'm changing and I told them the lower unit was full of water to the point that it rusted other bearings. They told me good luck. That's all I need for real though....................

 

[bob johnson]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

make a bearing puller or a slide hammer to get that bearing out of the lower unit.. or go rent a universal bearing puller...

if i remember right there are two threaded holes for pulling the housing out

the book says to attach a slide hammer to the threads on the prop shaft and pull out the prop shaft and bearing carrier all together!

bob

 

[dtnel]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

The carrier bearing housing removes with the 2 bolt process you were referring to along with the shaft. The forward bearings are pressed in on this unit. It don't have a removable setup like many others do I've found by talking with others about this. I did get them both out so now I'm going to drive a half hour to the guys shop who I ordered the parts through. Hopefully I'll have the unit back together sometime this evening but I need to get the lower unit exterior housing sandblasted first then I'll try to match up the paint the best I can with spray paint. It currently has blue with white underneath (Johnson) color. I just want to clean it up a little and make it look a little better.

While on the subject of rebuilding the lower unit can you tell me if I can use standard antiseize on the areas where the selco manual says I need to use "marine antiseize" I even have the caterpillar antiseize to use as well.

Will standard grease from a grease tube work for the areas where it says to apply "marine grease"? My gut tells me this regular grease and antiseize will work but I just want to play it safe after spending $700 plus on parts for the lower unit and other miscellaneous stuff for small stuff broke here and there. I have to replace the floor in the near future. I'm thinking this may be a good winter project but I'm not ready to spend $565 for a good cover yet so I'm trying to hold out till I have the floor lumber funds along with boat cover funds as well.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

"While on the subject of rebuilding the lower unit can you tell me if I can use standard antiseize on the areas where the selco manual says I need to use "marine antiseize" I even have the caterpillar antiseize to use as well."



I'd like to know the answer too! Please?

 

[dtnel]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

Anyone know the answer to my question??

 

[durban]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

ive used normal good quality bearing grease & engineers antisieze & have had no problems . the only time i use marine grease is where any thing comes into contact with salt water

 

[seahorse5]

Re: How much pitting is to much on Outboard driveshaft? Bearing Questions also.......

No need to use any type of anti-seize on a 48hp gearcase. It's messy, sometimes gets crumbly in saltwater, and the wrong type can pit or corrode aluminum threads. For salt water exposed bolt threads, use Evinrude BRP Triple Guard grease. I've seen it last for over 5 years in saltwater environments and the bolts still came out easily.