Mercury 1986 50hp propeller shaft oil seals replacement

[cope9079]

Need help with how to remove old shaft seals and bearing carrier housing on a 1986 50hp Mercury (serial #0A133004). Can't get the first seal out. Would it be easier to remove the complete bearing carrier housing from the lower unit and remove the seal that way?

 

[Texasmark]

Depends. If you have the bolted in bearing carrier assembly no problem, which I think you have. If you have the large diameter spanner nut, it depends on your ability to "finess" the nut out. Pay attention to the direction the seals are placed....back to back to block oil going out, and water coming in. On larger hp engines I have fished them out using a small drill, SS pointed probe, and long nose pliers.