Lower Unit rebuild

[wilkin250r]

Why are lower units so expensive? I'm being quoted $1000 to get my lower unit rebuilt. I can purchase a rebuilt Chevy 350 for that kind of money. Are they truly that complex? So complex that I can't rebuild it myself? (I've rebuilt motors on ATV's before, so I'm pretty handy with a wrench)

 

[12Footer]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

Te reason it is so outrageously priced is, it bolts onto a boat.<br />That truely is about it. They are no more complicated than an ATV or motorcycle tranny....a two-speed tranny (1 forward, one reverse). And essentially, that's all they are, a transmission...Mind you, a "marine" transmission, but basicly the same with an extra emphasys on sealing it watertight.<br />If you have experiance on knuckle-bustin, get the manual ,and dig-in.<br />It's sooo much cheaper to tool-up,and maintain your own from then on.

 

[wilkin250r]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

Well, in my particular case, I working lower unit from a 1989 Force 125 with a broken skeg, and a non-working lower unit from a 1988 Force 125, skeg intact. Between them both, and a set of seals, I can probably get one working unit wouldn't you think? Does anybody know offhand whether these two years are compatable?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

BOAT - Break Out Another Thousand or<br />A hole in the water surrounded by fiberglass that one pours money into.<br /><br />The sad thing is I've got 4. The dumb thing is I'm looking for another.<br /><br />Oh well!

 

[papasage]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

wilkin . you you can do it yourself git your bering from a bering co not a dealer. i went through a 85 merc foot some used gears from an old foot berings wer frome a bering co comparable to napn auto parts 27.00 . bering co was7.00. <br />they had all berings &seals.the whol job cost for parts was around 100.00. that was used old foot & berings .papasage////////

 

[papasage]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

wilkin . you you can do it yourself git your bering from a bering co not a dealer. i went through a 85 merc foot some used gears from an old foot berings wer frome a bering co comparable to napn auto parts 27.00 . bering co was7.00. <br />they had all berings &seals.the whol job cost for parts was around 100.00. that was used old foot & berings .papasage////////

 

[papasage]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

sorry i posted it twise

 

[12Footer]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

Np, Papasage <br />Wilkin, have you concidered a "Skeggard"? They aint cheap, but lots of stump jumpers and bassers use them,as they do a fair job of protecting the prop...but the thing fits-over the existing stub of a skeg.As long as you have no casing cracks, and enough of a stump to drill 1/8" holes into, you can repair it in an hour or less.<br />Just an option.

 

[rambofish]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

wilkin250r,<br />For f*ck's sake!...lower units were designed by engineers...ergo....they must only be worked on by engineers!! They must have 10^-12 clearances! They must be water proof to 5 atmospheres! They are not for mere mortals to be working on....only highly trained, properly authorized individuals in clean room evironments must touch them! What are you an engineer? Oh ya....I forgot....you ARE an engineer <br /><br />Okay, okay...before anyone starts slamming me.....I know this guy, we hang together, and he is a very competent mechanic (have you found that metric crescent wrench yet?)....I'm just giving him grief... <br />I totally agree with him, the prices I've seen quoted for rebuilt or rebuilding are quite high when compared to tranny's, engines....well just about anything else for a car. I also agree with papasage, a bearing from NTN is still an NTN bearing wether you get it from the dealer or a bearing house! Unfortunatley, I think it's a matter of time, tools, convenience and fear that are working in the marine shops favor. Most people would rather pay someone say 700 hundred bucks to do something in 4 or 5 hours (and have their boat back by the weekend), than go buy a couple of hundred in tools (that you might only use once every 3 years), a couple of hundred in parts, and spend 3 times as long doing themselves, (oh, and might break something because they got in a hurry). Now don't get me wrong....I wouldn't try boring a cylinder or balancing a crank at home, so shops do have their place...but I think if more people took the time to learn how to repair their mechanical stuff, prices wouldn't be so high......just my 2 cents...<br />Bill

 

[bret walters]

Re: Lower Unit rebuild

i think that if you have the correct tools and factory service manual, the ability to follow the manual and use the tools this job can be done by the "diy" guys. but if you are not willing to do it right don't forget to and the cost of a water tow to that thousand dollar quote after it fail. and you know it will fail the day you take you mother in law out for a boat ride.ha ha <br />is the broken skeg the only problem? lots of case out there with no skeg work just fine. it also gives more clearance over manatees.