Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Hi,

My '86 Evinrude prop seals are leaking. A flywheel puller, heat, and PB blaster won't budge the bearing carrier.

Ezeke mentioned a Lisle shaft on seal puller. How does it work? And how do you get the seals back in evenly on all sides with the prop shaft preventing a socket from tapped on?

Thank you.
 

SparkieBoat

Captain
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
3,643
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

i got a heavy duty puller made for this, I had to use on a 1979 85 HP johnny the other day, and it was in there..took a lot of pressure to get it out. I tried my flywheel puller first it was not heavy duty enough. I got mine from a friend, but I think I have seen them on the net for under $100
 

ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

i got a heavy duty puller made for this, I had to use on a 1979 85 HP johnny the other day, and it was in there..took a lot of pressure to get it out. I tried my flywheel puller first it was not heavy duty enough. I got mine from a friend, but I think I have seen them on the net for under $100

Sparkieboat,

That's good to know. What I am talking about is a tool (Lisle 58430) that removes the seals without having to take the carrier out, if you aren't familiar with that technique. I just looked it up in an ad and know how it works, but I'm still not sure if it will work with prop shaft going through the seals and pressing the new seals back in.

I guess one guy drilled 4 1/8" holes and pryed them out that way. It would be my luck they would get messed up enough to make it more difficult somehow.
 

SparkieBoat

Captain
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
3,643
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

i would just pull the carriage..I use some black gasket sealer around the bolt heads when I reinstall..
 

ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

Someone asked the same question after I did and put a video up showing the Lisle tool in action. That helped.

I have a standard flywheel puller and have to tighten the 1/4" nuts on each side. I have 3 nuts on each side but I'm not sure if will strip or not. That carrier metal is soft and dents easy so I was concerned about putting too much pressure and breaking it.
 

Willyclay

Captain
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Messages
3,264
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

After having the same experience as you removing the seals on my bud's 1987 Evinrude 25HP, we were able to install the new seals with a piece of PVC pipe of the correct ID. FYI, we put tape over the prop shaft splines so not to damage the new seals during installation. Good luck!
 

ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

After having the same experience as you removing the seals on my bud's 1987 Evinrude 25HP, we were able to install the new seals with a piece of PVC pipe of the correct ID. FYI, we put tape over the prop shaft splines so not to damage the new seals during installation. Good luck!

Willyclay,

Thanks for the PVC idea. This motor has some electrolysis pits from salt water. I suspect it is sticking due to corrosion like props do.
 

Willyclay

Captain
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Messages
3,264
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

I feel your pain! I prefer boating and fishing in saltwater BUT it does make for some maintenance challenges. Depending on how much damage to the seals during removal that it may not be obvious, be aware the new ones go in back-to-back to keep the gear oil in and the water out. Good luck!
 

ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

The Lisle over the shaft seal puller showed up today. The top part of the top seal popped out ok but the bit wouldn't catch the bottom half. I put a notch in it and was able to get it hooked. Even after using PB Blaster and a torch, the bit straighted out.

It looks like not only the bearing carrier is froze in but the seals are too.
 

Willyclay

Captain
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Messages
3,264
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

Bummer, I was hoping the Lisle tool was The Answer! I know it can be done without special tools because I did it with my bud's motor. The biggest concern for us was damaging the bearing carrier, prop shaft or both. We carefully broke each seal apart with small standard-blade screwdrivers, icepicks and needlenose pliers. A piece of hard-copper pipe was placed over the prop shaft to protect it. It was not pretty and took all afternoon. Hope some of the experts will post their recommendations. Good luck!
 
Last edited:

ba_50

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
635
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

I was ready to give up but got to thinking about trying to yank it out with a screw, since the bottom half is larger. Hitting the bearing bothers me though.
 

SparkieBoat

Captain
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
3,643
Re: Trouble removing prop seals on 30hp

the carriage puller should work to pull the whole thing out. also make sure to keep good anodes in the motor..there may be a place for one on your carriage. while its out I would order one for it. this will help with some of the corrosion problems.
 
Top