B3 outer prop shaft retention

[muskyfins]

I'm doing some pre-planning to replace the bearing carrier oil seal and o-ring this year. What retains the outer prop shaft? I see the retainer in there but it retains the bearing set and gear. Isn't that gear just on the splines of the shaft? What prevents the shaft from pulling out of the gear? Thanks for any help offered.

 

[alldodge]

The bearing carrier is just the seal holder and lock nut for both inner and outer prop shafts. When the bearing carrier is removed (note: clockwise), and if you plan to replace the inner shaft seal. Then the retainer nut (item 38) will need to be removed in order to remove both prop shafts and to get at the inner shaft seal.

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30972/1943/250

Here is my lower B3 overhaul thread

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...s-like-i-m-getting-into-bravo-outdrive-repair

 

[muskyfins]

Your thread on the subject has been one of my key references.

I don't need to replace the inner shaft seal. Just the outer seal and the O-ring on the bearing carrier.

So I'll remove the bearing carrier only, replace the seal and O-ring and re-assemble.

When the bearing carrier is out, what is holding the outer shaft in the gear housing? I know there is a retainer in there, but isn't is just holding the bearing and gear? And the gear just rides on the splines of the outer shaft? What's preventing me from just pulling out the outer shaft besides common sense?

 

[alldodge]

The retaining nut item 38 is torqued against the race and bearing item 34. Item 32 is a retaining ring which keeps the outer shaft in pace. So removing the carrier has no impact on inner or outer gears and shaft. No need to do anything except retorque

 

[muskyfins]

So the retaining ring was the missing link for me. Got it. Thanks