Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

[Scott in MN]

I have a '69 Evinrude 9.5 that has had oil leaking from the lower unit. I dissasembled the lower unit and found that the lip on the propeller shaft oil seal had worn a groove in the propeller shaft. I assume that even if I installed a new seal, the groove would not allow an adequate seal and it would still leak.<br /><br />I dare not even ask what a new or even used shaft would cost. (Someone let me know if they have a resonable used one) I was planning on bringing the shaft to a friend machinist to have him MIG weld a few beads of metal into the grove and then machine it down. Has anyone tried this? Has anyone had this problem before?<br /><br />thanks

 

[rayjay]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Forget it. The shaft is either stainless or plated or else it would be rusted away.<br /><br />You might could get the seal bore deepened a bit so that the seal went in just far enough to miss the groove.

 

[lark2004]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

speedy-sleeve it.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Well, a new shaft, part no. 0305261, is available, but it costs about $200. So that's probably right out for your outboard.<br /><br />You might try an outboard junkyard, like tcoutboard.com. There were tons of these 9.5s out there, and I'm sure there are many in the junkyard. I don't know what their price for a good used prop shaft for one would be, though. It's worth checking.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Install new seal(s), making sure to install the new ones so that the lip is not in the same place (i.e. don't drive the new seal(s) all the way home). Works great and doesn't require anything except some care installing the new seal(s).

 

[Scott in MN]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Good responses. Thanks.<br /><br />Speedy-Sleeve? Sounds interesting. Is this straight forward? I picture a sleeve long enough to cover the effected area, heating it up to install and just held in place by friction. I would have to get a different oil seal then to fit the new shaft diameter, right?<br /><br />There is someone parting out a '68 Evinrude 9.5 on ebay. Anyone know if it uses the same propeller shaft?<br /><br />I also like the idea of not driving in the seal all the way. However, I would think the seal needs to be square to the shaft. Do you install a spacer behind it to keep it square? Any problems with it staying in place?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

That '68 uses exactly the same prop shaft. Same part number. That might be your best solution.<br /><br />The speedy sleeaves don't require a different seal. They're only .003 thick, and the sleeve can make up that amount.<br /><br />Finding them, however, may not be so easy. Try a bearing shop. Federal Mogul also makes sleeves for these purposes...they call them Redi-Sleeves.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Just a note. The part number is the same through 1973. I can't reference part numbers prior to 1968. There's a guy auctioning a complete lower end for a 70's 9.5 on eBay. Since they ceased production of the 9.5 and went to the 9.9 in 1974, that might work for you, too. The prop shaft for the 9.9 won't work, though.

 

[Scott in MN]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Got a price back from Twin City Outboard of $50 for a propeller shaft in good condition. That's not too bad.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Good deal. That's not so much at all. I think it's better to replace the part than to bodge something up.<br /><br />If they say it's in good condition, you can take it to the bank. I'd grab it.

 

[lark2004]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

yep, if you can get a good second hand part, do it. <br /><br />Speedy sleeves aren't a bodge job, they are used every day in industrial applications where shaft removal is either uneconomical or simply to large. Most of the time it is due to it being uneconomical. The sleeve doesn't require heating, they are selected according to original shaft size, and are press fitted on, usually with a non-hardening sealing compound like permatex no.4 or similar. The same size seal as before is still used. If the surface wears again in the future, replacement is simple, the old sleeve is broken off, and the same size replacment is fitted.

 

[Scott in MN]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Did a couple of searches on Google and couldn't find much on a supplier for these sleeves. Do you know of any or can you steer me in the right direction? <br /><br />Lark, I see your in Australia. Your suppliers won't be of much use to me, but thanks for the info. Anyone else know of a supplier?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Scott,<br /><br />I couldn't find one in the US. Did that used one down in Shakopee not work out?

 

[Scott in MN]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

I haven't followed up on it yet. I'm just researching my options. Also checking on the guy parting out the '68 9.5 to see what condition that shaft is in.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Sounds good. I hope you're back on the water soon. Summer's too short around here to not be on the lake.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

Chicago Rawhide /SKF makes them and you can normally get them from your local bearing house. I think it's superior fix compared with a used shaft that will also have the groove. They're stainless so that's not a worry. Cheap too.<br />Or just phone up any machine shop and get them to install it for you. They're the heli-coil of worn shaft repair.<br /> Click here.

 

[Scott in MN]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

I ended up placing a 1/8" thick nylon bushing behind the rear seal inorder to reposition the seal lip on the shaft. Seems to be working.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Groove

That's a good fix. I did similar w/o the bushing on a 140HP Johnson a few years ago.