Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

[Sea Raider I]

Doesnt it seem odd that a marine manufacturer would use steel for their MAIN component??? Seriously?? Steel for the driveshaft, NOT stainless???

DUMB!!!!

 

[Sea Raider I]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Jeez.... Serial number 3661617 65 hp 3 cyl 650 - iboats does not sell stainless driveshafts, anyone have any ideas (besides ebay)...

My mechanic told me he wouldnt touch my LU if it had a steel shaft, well guess what.....

Any help appriciated.

Thanks.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

I don't know- too brittle? Mine's steel. All of my outboards have had steel shafts. That includes Johnson, Evinrude, Chrysler and Merc. I've never heard of complaints? Maybe I'm showing my ignorance here.

 

[Sea Raider I]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Well ive had a few evinrude motors all of which had stainless. This particular shaft is so pitted it apparently wont seal properly. I personally dont want to tear apart the gear assembly partly because i believe it requires special tools of which I dont have. I had planned to remove the lu and take it to the shop for a seal replacement, he basically said if its steel he wouldnt touch it cause once they corrode he cannot guarantee a proper seal. If anyone cares to see a pic I would be glad to post one.

Thanks..

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Yeah lets look a the pic. Can be resleeved. Common.
Will have to remove driveshaft.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

I believe they switched in the mid 70's and yours is a 1973.You have a few options,scour CL for parts /engine or boat-motor-trailer for a few hundred and sell what you don't want.Find someone that has the spanner wrench needed to pull hub or take LU to dealer and have them pull it,not much else needed in special tools after that.Then take the drive shaft to a machine shop,have it welded up and turned to original spec.I see your in WA. There is a man on Fiberglassics.com in the Merc forum that lives in that area and may have the shaft or a used unit at a reasonable price.Dr, Frankenmerc or someone else on there may be able to help out.I know a shop in NY that would have the LU but not sure what you want to put into it.I think the Johnnyrudes back to the 50's used SS,could be wrong.

 

[Sea Raider I]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Hmmm, I found a good used shaft on ebay for $150. It looks to be in good condition, but I just dont want to install another steel shaft - however SS shafts are well over $400. I may just purchase this used unit. My only experience with resealing LU's are on evinrudes. This is my firs Merc and I am kinda intimedated. Not quite sure how to remove the drive shaft...

 

[RRitt]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Stainless causes galvanic corrosion to aluminum. The larger your stainless footprint is then the harder it is to fight aluminum corrosion. They may have decided that using steel was a better balance.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

WHAT RIT? So why did they change to ss steal in 1974? The shaft never comes into contect with alum

 

[Sea Raider I]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Should I find a new mechanic?? Do you guys think I can tackle this job myself (aside from taking to him to remove the hub)... I have the manual coming, I can wait just want to gain knowledge beforehand. Lucky me, my motor is a 73, and they changed in 74?? what are the odds...

At least I picked this beast up for only $250 and it runs great, with the controls all in great condition. All in all I think I will come out ahead of the game even with this crap shaft...

 

[jimg984]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

been usd\ed in saltwater and not properly flushed out afterwards ...i betting

 

[Sea Raider I]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

most definately used in salt water, namely the puget sound its entire life. PO insisted he flushed after each use, I believe him I just thing almost 40 years in salt has done its job... Any advice on this rebuild?

 

[jimg984]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

the seal area on the shaft is probably ok to reuse,,,,at least use until you run across another lower unit... that me tho

 

[mr 88]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Well the easiest way to determine if the seal is good is to put a vacuum gauge on it,while its together.I still think it would be cheaper if it leaks, to just flash the shaft and then have them put it on a lathe.Shops that rebuild hydraulics do it all the time on construction equipment.You walk in with the shaft and 100-150 max.Try calling some in the area and tell them what you have.The manual will show you how to pop the shaft.Really easy once the hub is unscrewed.Yes you can tackle it yourself,the mechanic is trying to make a living and there rates are 65-100 per hour.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Grooved shaft is a grooved shaft, rebuild it. seals don't last long.

 

[Sea Raider I]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Thanks for the input!! I like 88's idea, Ill check around. I know the seals are no good, PO stated gear lube was leaking past the prop hub. I also found water in the gearcase. Im gonna scrap the new shaft idea and find a way to get it repaired. Thanks Again Guys!!

 

[clanton]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Speedy sleeve from a bearing house may fix this. Depends on how deep the groove is. Sleeve is stainless. Easy to install, comes in standard US and metric.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

WHAT RIT? So why did they change to ss steal in 1974? The shaft never comes into contect with alum

It does not need to contact aluminum. The saltwater creates a slow motion battery with any aluminum. Common ground completes the circuit and electrons flow. The stuff that looks like limestone or salt deposits is actually corroded aluminum.

Perhaps you have noticed that some mercury trim systems become de-anodized with age? If you leave off the anode strap then you are actually doing a slow motion electro-strip.

 

[stackz]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

I didnt have to use any special tools to take apart the LU in my 1990 90hp engine. it said I needed a couple but I had no problem using my 3/8" socket set, my 1/2" socket set, a large pipe wrench, a medium sized adjustable wrench, and rubber mallet.

goofy part was getting a nut to bite on the shafts lower nut (one that held the pinion gear) to the shaft while holding the shaft with the pipe wrench lol.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Why on EARTH would Mercury use steel for their Driveshafts?????

Remove the waterpump base and inspect the sealing area of the driveshaft. It may be fine, or it may be cleanable. Use sandpaper to clean up the entire driveshaft before you install new pump base, otherwise you risk tearing up new driveshaft seal. Some say (I have not tried it) you can replace propshaft seal w/o disassembling gearcase. Simply hook the existing seal and pull it out over the prop shaft. Now tap in a new one. Propshaft is Stainless, so it should not be pitted.

Coat driveshaft (steel or stainless) with some marine grease prior to reinstall of gearcase.