lower unit question

[water proof wick]

1995 Johnson 90 carb maybe 88 . so I had the seal on the water pump go last year , filled the lower unit with water . im not sure when this happened or how long I was using it . I noticed some slop in the shaft ( not the prop shaft that feels tight )up and down and some side to side . is this normal ? so I was thinking of getting a repair manual and replace parts myself , I heard these Johnson were not to bad to work on . just out of curiosity what kind of price is fare to have the lower unit rebuilt ?. I am thinking bearing , shims and seals is all it should need . the last day I had it out it ran fine and shown no indication something was wrong , shift smooth . just seems like that shaft should not have as much play as it does or does it tighten up when I side it up in the powerhead

 

[MH Hawker]

if you let it sit all winter with water in it now you have rusted parts to deal with

 

[Chris1956]

If it sat all winter, the water likely froze and he may have worse issues.

​I recommend he repost in the proper forum. Also, SEI likely makes a brand new gearcase for that motor for about the repair cost.

 

[oldboat1]

Drain and pressure test it, or take it to a shop and have it tested.

 

[water proof wick]

ok so I think my run on sentence got in the way of the question , sorry I drain my lower unit oil twice a season , Water was found in august , so I pulled the lower unit , drained it , threw it in the basement and have not touched it all winter . found the seal that was destroyed ( its was ripped in half ) so I know were the water came from . I am a heavy equipment operator / mechanic . but never touched a lower unit . I guess my question was , what to they get to go threw a lower unit and replace the bearing ,seals and shims ? and have any of you guys done it , how bad was ? and how much play should their be if any in the shaft or does that play go away , when installed in the power head . In my mind I can grab that shaft and wiggle it up and down a 1/8 inch is this normal ?

 

[James R]

Sounds like a new drive shaft seal and possibly a bearing. Not difficult if it is a fresh water motor a little more tricky if it has been in salt water. Can talk you through it.

 

[racerone]

Remove the waterpump.--Now remove the 4 bolts and pry out the upper driveshaft bearing / thrust bearing housing.----Inspect those 2 bearings.---That often tells the story on the condition of the unit !