Seal Kit orientation

[PeterB26]

I’m with Rick on this one,
did the same seal on my 96 last year. It was 2 separate seals and now is just one. Hasn’t leaked yet so seems good

Originally there were 2 seals, back to back 26-66302's. Around 2002 Merc changed those 2 for a single double lip seal. And that's what is in all the new kits.

Not sure what you mean by 'a groove'. All the castings I have seen have only a smooth machined surface. There is a flange at the very bottom to stop the seal being pushed all the way through. I always put a thin smear of Loctite 515 Master gasket sealer on the outer edges of seals when I put them in. And don't forget to fill the cavity between the 2 lips with grease before you assembly the lower and upper together.

If you have a groove on the top of the drive shaft, it needs to be replaced.

Chris......

I'm about to tackle this same job and glad to have found this thread since I did not know about the single seal change. Is there a proper orientation to the single seal? i.e. rcorrect side to put up?
Thanks

 

[achris]

.... Is there a proper orientation to the single seal? i.e. correct side to put up? ...

No.

 

[PeterB26]

No.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Just for clarification: Per forum policy this thread was started as a new post taken from my reply to an archived thread. The seal in question is:
Alpha One Gen 2 : the driveshaft seal where the vertical shaft from the lower unit plugs into the upper.

 

[achris]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Just for clarification: Per forum policy this thread was started as a new post taken from my reply to an archived thread. The seal in question is:
Alpha One Gen 2 : the driveshaft seal where the vertical shaft from the lower unit plugs into the upper.

Yep, I got that. Answer is still the same, seal can go in either way...