lower unit output shaft play

[redfury]

Long story short, I picked up a small rock last year and it got wedged between the skeg and my prop. Took a nice ding out of each ( last time I'll even think of running the motor in that shallow of water ). Anyway, I've been doing my spring inspections and noticed that I have a very small amount of run-out when I spin the prop by hand. Seems to be about less than a quarter of an inch...but that's also with the prop on. I have to investigate further to determine that it isn't a prop issue, but I'd like to know what level of concern I should have for it.

The play is rotational, not endplay.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: lower unit output shaft play

If you're talking about 1/4" of lateral movement in the prop shaft. that's way bad. Shouldn't see more than 0.004 to 0.006" of runout. Take the prop off and measure the runout with a dial indicator.

 

[redfury]

Re: lower unit output shaft play

I'm concerned mostly because I can SEE the movement as I spin it. I will definitely get a dial indicator on it.

Difficult for a home mechanic to replace?