Prop shaft moves in carrier

[scrambler45]

Hi there, I have searched and could not find what I am looking for. I just got my first bost. It is a 1994 Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha 1. I did a lot of research and finished winterizing. I have 1 question I could not find the answer to. If I grab the prop and push it forward and rearward, the prop and shaft move in and out of the carrier maybe .035" to .045". Is this normal? The prop does not hit anything, and everthing on the boat seemed to work when I took it on the water. It also looks like the shaft in the carrier is new. It is nice and shiny. Do I need to be worried?

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop shaft moves in carrier

That is normal movement.