Alpha One Gen 2 prop shaft seal replacement

[Scott06]

Went to take the boat out to winterize it yesterday (had not used it in 3 weeks) and noticed a oil sheen from the outdrive when I put it in the water... also noticed the lube bottle was down by about half, which I have never seen before.

Take the prop of and predictably find a bunch of fishing line on the seal.

I believe I have to remove the bearing carrier or is there a way to pull the seals out with out pulling the carrier?

If I have to remove the carrier any comments on which of the pullers out there seem to work best ?

Thanks

 

[Scott06]

Bumping this didn’t know if there is a way to pull seals out with out pulling bearing retainer ?

 

[dubs283]

You have to pull the carrier

Long jaw puller, add heat on sides to aid in removal

 

[kenny nunez]

The 5 Star marine seal puller/installer kit will do the job but @ $700.00 probably not worth the investment.
I had one of those when I had my shop, it was not nearly as expensive then.
It did pay for itself then.

 

[Scott06]

The 5 Star marine seal puller/installer kit will do the job but @ $700.00 probably not worth the investment.
I had one of those when I had my shop, it was not nearly as expensive then.
It did pay for itself then.

I was going to make or modify jaws on one of the pullers we have at work. Not sure if I can make my own tool to remove the nut that holds the bearing carrier in or buy one (dont think they were too much$$).

Luckily I have access to the shop at work ...

 

[kenny nunez]

The best way to remove the threaded ring is to drill a 3/16” hole roughly 2”apart as close to he gearcase as possible then chisel it out. The tightening tool tool could be made with some 1/4” key stock welded to piece of pipe large enough to fit inside the ring then use a pipe wrench.
However, nothing beats the correct tool.

 

[Bt Doctur]

there was/is a tool .looks like a giant easy out with a hollow center to fir over the prop shaft .screws under the seal to remove it. Otherwise drill a small hole and screw in small screws to force it out.

 

[Scott06]

there was/is a tool .looks like a giant easy out with a hollow center to fir over the prop shaft .screws under the seal to remove it. Otherwise drill a small hole and screw in small screws to force it out.

Will give it a try before pulling carrier. thanks

 

[Bt Doctur]

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[Bt Doctur]

he 4 on the left screw into the seal and pull it out .Do you have access to a lathe to thread a section of pipe?

 

[Scott06]

he 4 on the left screw into the seal and pull it out .Do you have access to a lathe to thread a section of pipe?

View attachment 389919

Yes I can thread pipe just put an npt thread on it to grab the inside of seal ? Could weld a nut in other end to make a jack screw

 

[Scott06]

The plot thickens on this one ... Given how much line was stuck in the seals I was concerned that there would be some in the prop shaft roller bearing so I pulled the bearing carrier. The retainer was PITA as I broke my 1/2" drive 18" breaker bar (pissed me off as I had it for years...). A couple days soaking with Kroil, more heat, and a 3/4" drive breaker bar got the retainer off. Bearing carrier pulled out easily in comparison.

Reverse gear had some what I believe is corrosion on it as did the driveshaft and fwd gear to a lesser extent. There is no staining/corrosion on the needle bearing in the bearing carrier and the reverse gear bearing is smooth and quiet. The drive face of all the gears has a smooth wear pattern with no staining/corrosion on them

Here is the part I cannot figure out- I have never had milky lube come out of this drive. I bought the boat (2004) in 2015 as a handyman's special. Boat had 37 hrs on it but PO had cracked the block. Boat had had no maintenance on it as original oil filter and fuel filter were still on the block with overspray from when the engine was painted... I repowered and the drive is quiet and shifts great. Never had water in bellows and boat still has original gimbal bearing...

When I drained the lube after I got the boat it was black but had no evidence of moisture in it and while I don't pressure test the drive every year in the 8 seasons I have used it it never lost lube level no had any evidence of mositure in the drive. Last pressure test was spring of 2022.

When I went to pull boat in the end of September I noticed an oil sheen when I put the boat in the water off the lift and noticed I lost about 1/2 the lube bottle. This was the first time it ever lost level and there was no milk when I drained the lube.

I drained the drive and brought it home with me to replace the seals.

Is the only way this happens due to mositure ? thinking sitting 11 years with no lube changes did this.

Can I pull the reverse gear out of the bearing carrier to check the ball bearing with out damaging it?

I was going to pop the top cap and look at the upper gears, obviously if there is discoloration /corrosion/staining on bearings it will need an overhaul- is there an issue continuing to run these gears? I've seen guys bead blast old ring an pinions.

I hate to replace the drive as it only has about 350 hrs of freshwater use...

Thoughts appreciated

 

[Scott06]

So I am about to get the boat in the water. Given the new bearings in the drive - is a break in recommended? I re used the gears just new bearings and seals.