Force 125 1986, hole in front of lower unit weeping oil

[Radiodan]

I don't understand why I see tread on the shift shaft?
The rubber seal could be stuck up in there as there with amount of grease showing although I cant really see it in the pic.

When I pulled up on the shift shaft to show the bellows broken, that is the picture you see with shift shaft threads showing.
The shift shaft is loose, like it is not screwed in all the way. I was going to ask about that. If I screw it in, that will change the length of the shaft to where it connects with the connecting pin and cotter pin outside and above the LU.
Yes, I now think the driveshaft rubber seal may be stuck with grease up inside where the driveshaft plugs in. I will check that try to get it out if indeed that is what I see up there.

 

[Nordin]

The rubber seal that should be at the top of the drive shaft is not a big issue.
Just put a light coat of marine grease at the spline and it will be enough.
That rubber seal is for protect the drive shaft spline and crank to rust and get stuck.
Your big issue is the rubber below for the shift shaft.
The below is the seal for the gear lube and it is a N/A part.
I have the same issue with a LU for a 90Hp.
Have talk to Franz Marine and he has a couple of customer in a queue for a redesigned cover with a new style for the seal.
Not cheap at all, try to contact him and check if he still has that solution.
I hesitated because of the cost, had a spare LU which I put on the engine.
BTW: The shift rod looks like it is loose from the shift arm as the threads are seen in the pic.

 

[las]

I don't understand why I see tread on the shift shaft?
The rubber seal could be stuck up in there as there with amount of grease showing although I cant really see it in the pic.

My thoughts as well.
A treaded section against the shaft seal is going to leak and ruin the seal.

 

[The Force power]

When I pulled up on the shift shaft to show the bellows broken, that is the picture you see with shift shaft threads showing.
The shift shaft is loose, like it is not screwed in all the way. I was going to ask about that. If I screw it in, that will change the length of the shaft to where it connects with the connecting pin and cotter pin outside and above the LU.

I would have to check my manual again to see how many turns out from fully seated the correct position is.
The Bigger issue now; you will have to do a tear down to get the shaft screwed into the connector (unless your are the luckiest guy in the world)
Yes, it would change the length of the shaft & the controls/linkages etc. will need to be adjusted accordingly

 

[Nordin]

Notice that the rubber bellow at the shift rod is the seal to the gear lube and it is out of order. First pic.
It will leak a lot and yes the shift rod has to be threaded back into the shift arm.
Maybe you can pull the whole cover and get it back to the shift arm but still the bellow is the biggest issue.
It is a N/A part.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The only problem I see is the broken rubber bellows.
They don't make them anymore and finding one would be a miracle!!
A while back someone posted abut a replacement part, try the search function?
The rubber bellows was only used for a short time in 1989/90 then the end of 90 they realized it was crap and stopped making it.
So that makes the lower unit on your 86 Force a replacement from the stock
unit
This part# might be what you need if you can find it?
From the pic of the bellows: anybody guess why it went bad????
The wire tie is the wrong style and was probably put on with too much force.
They need a curved tie(Mercury Part) and very lite pressure.
The tie was probably too tight and made the bellows strech too far and it pulled the top of the bellows off.

COVER ASSEMBLY (TYPE B C D) 818074A1

Try Franz Marine or be on the lookout for a new lower.
The lowers up to the early 90s including the L drive will swap, at a certain time they started using the same unit on the 90/120/150

 

[The Force power]

you could try this? It may work??
Mercury 85552 BOOT

 

[jerryjerry05]

No that boot is 6" long.

 

[The Force power]

No that boot is 6" long.

you mean the one for the force correct?

 

[Radiodan]

Let me make answers and replies numbered to make it easier to follow or for you guys to comment on. I know I must be your eyes and hands but sure wish one of you were here as something obvious to you that is not to me would be recognized.
1) Shift rod is not removed from the part it screws in to. It was simply unscrewed about 6 turns from being completely screwed in. However, the actual length of the rod when screwed in changed very little (about 1/16" shorter!) So, I imagine the part it screwed in to was just raised up. when I screwed it in. I was initially concerned about the shift rod not protruding up enough to reach the shift rod coupler with the pin up and outside the LU. It looks like it will be fine (I have not tried to shift if yet and see where that is in relation to where it was.
1A), how many turns unscrewed should this rod be if at all?

 

[Radiodan]

2) It sounds like I have an 1989 or 1990 LU, identified by the bellows on shift rod.
It also sounds like ALL the 1983-1990+ shift rod seals are NLA? What does everybody do when they need one?

 

[Radiodan]

3) Jerry, Yes, boot is wire tied too tightly to shift rod and the pull up probably broke it as the bellows sticks to the shaft now as wire tied.
4), Are you guys saying the bellow IS the seal or is there a seal below the bellows? Nordin says it IS the seal! --- AND NLA!

 

[Radiodan]

It's hard to believe this LU is not going to be back in service because of a seal?
The alternative is to find another LU?
It sounds like LU from any 85 or 125 will work AND some others? Anybody give me a complete "plug and play" replacement list or correct what I have stated?
Jerry suggested a cover but -IF- I can find one! I guess seals are available for that cover?
Pressure test fittings due in soon.
I have not yet checked with Franz but it sounds like an expensive fix.

 

[Nordin]

Radiodan, the bellow is the seal believe me.It is a N/A part.
I have the same issue with one of my spare lower unit.
Check with Franz Marine what he can offer.
I email with he last autumn and the solution was a new typ cover with a regular rubber seal, no bellow.
If do not remembered wrong it was about 200 dollar for it.
The bellow was a bad design and they went for an other design in 1990 I believe.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Just the rubber bellows is NLA
The seals for the others is easy to get.

 

[las]

Well then you would have to be creative and think up a solution.
Depending on how far up the threaded section goes when screwed all the way in and the rod is pulled back, you could have a round alu stock machined to accept a regular chrysler shaft seal at one end, raise it up a bit and weld it to the original plate. Depends on how much room you got inside the leg and a lot of other things.

 

[Radiodan]

Just got off the phone with Franz of Franz Marine in MO. This guy answers the phone himself and is a true TREASURE! He was happy to share knowledge with me and I am buying this newly machined plate which includes driveshaft and shift rod seals and a new shift rod. The new seal he uses is currently available and (we hope) will be in the future. He does ask that a core be sent to him FIRST, as he has not had good luck with guys saying they will return existing core cover and not doing so. I am removing cover today, sending to him and about $200 is what it takes to be done with the seal problem!
I will report back here when I have more to say, I really hope this thread will help others as much as you fellows have helped me, THANK YOU!

 

[Nordin]

Okey Radiodan, then Franz still have the same offer as when I email him last autumn.
Maybe I will send my cover too, but as I had a spare LU with another typ of seal I decided to use that.
200 dollars is a lot of money but maybe worth it.
Thanks for the information and good luck.

 

[The Force power]

I know I'm totally hijacking this post but because it's so related; I'm hoping for forgiveness.

Mod Team;
Sorry - It it is an off topic hijack. Start a new thread

 

[Radiodan]

When Franz sends me the newly machined cover with new seals and replacement shift rod, HOW do I remove the existing shift rod?
The shift rod must be replaced because the one I have with the bellows seal is a TWO-PIECE type that has a larger diameter lower section (as shown in these pics) that would not pass thru the new seal . I don't think it unscrews. I don't want to break anything and I will ask Franz when my cover arrives (probably week of Sept 27, 2021), Anybody know how to remove this shift rod? First 3 pics are looking down the shaft to where it connects.