Mercruiser TR prop shaft seal replacement

[abadab]

I have a 1984 Skipjack with a Mercruiser 454 and TR 330 outdrive. With the drive down there is a small oil leak from the propeller shaft. I believe that it is the prop shaft seals. I drained the gear oil and there was no milky color so I am pretty sure there is no water leaking in, only oil leaking out. Am I crazy to try to replace these seals by myself? I have ordered new seals and the carrier retainer wrench but I am concerned about tearing into this without knowing exactly what I am doing.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Mercruiser TR prop shaft seal replacement

Should be similiar to Alphas, remove the carrier, pop out the old seals, pop in the new ones, reinstall carrier

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser TR prop shaft seal replacement

Ayuh,... The Manual is up in the Adults Only section,...
I think those have a pretty basic lower unit,... It don't shift or nothin'....

I'd try it,....

 

[abadab]

Re: Mercruiser TR prop shaft seal replacement

Thanks for the encouragement, hopefully my seals come in today and I can give it a try.

 

[picklenjim]

Re: Mercruiser TR prop shaft seal replacement

Pretty basic however sometimes it's hard to get the carrier out.You may need a slide hammer type puller.Also you should mark the retainer somehow so you tighten it back down to the exact same spot.This determines your bearing preload which is very important!Also there is a large O-ring on the inner end of the carrier you may want to replace.Check the prop shaft for grooves where the old seals were.May need to sand the shaft some.One more thing there is a small "key" in a key way at the bottom of the carrier.Don't loose it.Use quicksilver 2-4-C grease on the big o-ring,Prop shaft 2 seals(be sure to put seals in opposite each other spring side showing on the outer seal) and on the retainer threads.Check your prop shaft for any end play when finished.If there is any it's from bearing wear so you may need to tighten the retainer slightly just enough to remove the end play.

 

[abadab]

Re: Mercruiser TR prop shaft seal replacement

Thanks picklejim, I just hope after all of this that the leak is fixed. There is a small amount of gear oil that leaks when the drive is down.