Cracked bearing carrier, run or replace?

[aidanmurphy]

Cracked my bearing carrier putting it back onto the lower after pressing in the new prop shaft seals. Ordering a new carrier but any tips on what I may be missing? Ending up with a very small gap left when putting the carrier back onto the LU.

 

[jimmbo]

What Engine is that?
What(else) did you remove and reinstall? In the pics, I see the Propshaft, Reverse Gear...

 

[Mc Tool]

When I removed mine I had to clean a lot of crud and corrosion off both the bearing carrier and the inside of the lower unit. I slathered anti seize grease all over the carrier and lower unit ...new O ring , fitted together and wiped off excess .
It might be just that the carrier wouldnt seat properly because of corrosion and or crud . Shouldnt have that gap .
Also possible ,as jimmbo alludes to things are not assembled correctly......washer in the wrong place perhaps.

 

[racerone]

What motor?----Did you turn the motor when tightening those bolts?----Do not run it the way it is now.

 

[aidanmurphy]

It's a 2005 merc 115. When I pulled the bearing carrier out the prop shaft along with the clutch dog / reverse gear / etc pulled out with it. Not going to run the boat with the crack already ordered another one, maybe the new one will slide in better this one did have a good amount of carbon buildup. Did not turn the motor or anything while tightening those bolts, just thought it would pull the carrier up snug but it ended up cracking the housing making me think something has it real stuck

 

[racerone]

Maybe reverse gear was not lined up with pinion.----Slow rotation of crankshaft while slowly tightening might be the way to go.