1986 Merc 60 Pulling my bearing carrier

[danalex]

Thought I would share this. I watched a utube where a guy used compressed air to remove his bearing carrier, I got leaking seals so I tried it. After some problems, got 120 pounds on it, the carrier did not come out. Got the loaner puller from the parts place - slide hammer with a square piece I could put over my prop shaft, then put the prop nut and thrust washer on, put 100 pounds air, three to five pops with the slide hammer it came out. It was heavily corroded, o-ring in the back half white and leaking oil, both prop seals leaking and one in backwards.

The air made it so much easier it was incredible. But! Be Warned!- The air either showed up or caused a leak inside the casing, I had not taken the foot off for this. So either the water pump seal or the shift shaft seal is leaking now. Water pump seals are brand new. Just sharing.

 

[GA_Boater]

Wonder why the rest of the seals are leaking with 120 PSI against seals only meant to be liquid seals?

Better replace all seals cuz they are probably damaged, even they are brand new.

 

[danalex]

Other seals are working fine with 12 pounds pressure, it was the vent screw making the noise due to an old gasket. I got new screws and gaskets, it holds 12 pounds for 20 seconds and I am on the way to water test. Yes. 120 is overpressure and might blow other seals. How bad do you want your bearing carrier out without breaking it is the question. I had already tried everything in the book (manual) and everything I could find online and nothing budged it.

 

[racerone]

???-----With that much pressure the gearcase might explode !!!------Wear your helmet and bullet proof vest next time.

 

[pascoea]

I just had to pull mine, 84 merc 75hp. It was actually a pretty simple operation (until you guys tell me all the reasons not to to it this way). I loosened the prop nut almost all the way off, wedged two 1"x10" strips of 1/2" plywood between the prop and the shaft cavity in the foot, then tightened the prop nut. It took a bit of force, but eventually broke free. Was then able to just wiggle it out. I assume this technique, paired with the manual prescribed heating, and maybe some light percussive maintenance would free a more stubborn one.

And likely way safer (no offence) than the air compressor-powered motor-boat-engine-shaped potato cannon described above. Pressure vessels (excuse the pun) are not something to play with.