2009 Merc 60hp efi with slighly bent prop shaft... need advise.

[wmgraphics]

Hit a rock while passing through a no wake zone, stupid me. The prop shaft is slightly bent. Maybe off by a mm or less. With the prop on/into the lower end, there is no rubbing what so ever (where the front of the prop slightly sides into the sleeve of the lower end). The shaft does not feel loose in anyway or in any direction.

I have not researched costs of a new lower end or having a new shaft installed. Any ideas on the cost of a new lower unit?

Is there anything I can do to check for real damage? Maybe replace lower end fluid and look for metal shavings maybe?

Any knowledgeable advise/ prior experience would be gladly excepted, I'm kinda freaking out a bit. The motor has less than 50 hours on it. Please help.

[wmgraphics]

Seriously is there no one that can help with this issue?

[bobkyle2]

I'm no pro by any means. But, i had a slightly bent prop shaft on my mercury 150hp... And the vibration it had backed the head bolts out.withen about 30 mins.

To get your prop shaft replaced is pretty exspensive just the shaft along is usually a like 3 or 400. Plus labor.

What i did was just replaced the whole lower unit.

Hope this helps!

[wmgraphics]

Man, this is turning out to be a very expensive mistake, I'm still kicking myself in the ars over this.
How bent was your motors prop shaft? Mine is less than a mm if that and you can barely see it. Was the vibration very noticeable?

When you purchased a new LU, did you buy just the LU shell and shaft or did you buy the whole deal?
Did you purchase from the factory and self install?

I want to run it the way it is in hopes it's OK but on the fence. Thanks.

[westexasrepublic]

dont run it with shaft bent, I did and almost damaged the LU seals and backed the bolts off the LU almost came off completely, could have been worse, but I found a shop here locally Nettle Props in Austin, Tx thats all they do is repair lower units and sell props. I got my prop rehubbed for $75 and shaft straightened for $165, runs true and straight now. look up a local shop or ship to a shop.

[bobkyle2]

I found a complete LU on craigslist.I could barely feel the vibration... And mine was not very noticeable at all by looking at it. I bent mine mine back with a pipe. But after reading about all the issue with vibrations i decided not to use it.

dont run it with shaft bent, I did and almost damaged the LU seals and backed the bolts off the LU almost came off completely, could have been worse, but I found a shop here locally Nettle Props in Austin, Tx thats all they do is repair lower units and sell props. I got my prop rehubbed for $75 and shaft straightened for $165, runs true and straight now. look up a local shop or ship to a shop.

I was also told about this shop.

[wmgraphics]

I was also told about this shop.

I tried contacting them by email with no response. I will keep you posted. Thanks.

[westexasrepublic]

Just call, some cute girl always answers and then service always helpful. I will say though however they straightened my shaft is a company secret and that it had to be attached to the motor in order for them to do it. accidentally drove there first with just the lower unit. no go.

[schematic]

I can straighten the shaft for you when it is removed from the leg.

PM me if needed

[wmgraphics]

Ok they got back to me. This is what they said...

I would need the shaft taking out of the lower unit. The shaft will cost $75.00 and the skeg will be around $200 and it will look like new.

Ok I have never removed a prop shaft from a LU before. Is it difficult? I know that you may need a bearing puller assembly to get the bearing carrier assembly out or do you?
I also found this manual online which looks helpful, although it's for a Bigfoot and a bit different than my 60hp 1.83:1 gear efi model. Does anyone know where to find this tech manual for the 2009 60efi 4cyl 1:83 serial# 1C108305?

I found the parts I need here and the prop shaft is much cheaper than I thought, $160.31. I will also need new inner and outer oil seals, $20. I was thinking of just having my local authorized merc tech replacing it. Any ideas on labor costs to replace a prop shaft?

All in all, I'm just happy and relieved that I have some affordable options and this will be taken care of soon so I can get my fish on.

[westexasrepublic]

Yah I would just go with new parts and see what your parts guy can do. but I will say Nettle will tig weld up a lower unit like new, check out there website for results.