Mercruiser Alpha One, Gen 2 prop shaft rear seal r&r

[mapk]

Hi,
I'm wondering if it's possible to replace the rear seal on an Alpha1/Gen2 outdrive without pulling the bearing assembly? Seems like it might be possible to pry it out and press a new one in after removing the anode assembly and line cutter. Or not? Pulling the bearing assembly looks like one miserable job (this is a 23 year old outdrive). TIA!

 

[alldodge]

Welcome

Don't know the year of drive serial number
Don't think that will work, there are 2 seals in that location, one behind the other (items 56 and 57)
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30862/2686/150

 

[mapk]

I'm pretty sure there's just one seal, the other is the "line cutter" which is supposed to cut fish line to protect the seal. But I'm inclined to agree: removing it doesn't look pleasant.

 

[Scott Danforth]

prop seals are always back-to-back seals.

one seal keeps oil in. one seal is reversed to keep water out.

 

[mapk]

Thanks! Makes sense, so, are the seals replaceable without removing the bearing carrier or prop shaft?

 

[Scott06]

Thanks! Makes sense, so, are the seals replaceable without removing the bearing carrier or prop shaft?

There are two seals in there - the line cutter is a seal with a metal shield intended to keep finishing line out of seal. Speaking from experience it doesn’t work …number 57 &58 here https://www.marineengine.com/parts/...-up/gear-housing-prop-shaft-standard-rotation

i just pulled my bearing carrier to do this. Some say you can drill and put in a small sheet metal screw and pull them out. This is what I started out trying, ended up pulling the carrier which takes the tool For retainer nut and a big puller , a lot of soaking with Kroil , a bit of heat. Broke my 1/2” breaker bar ended up getting a 3/4 drive one, more heat and it came out relatively easily. Also when it is apart you can check the bearing I found some evidence of water damage to bearings even though my gear oil never was milky…

 

[alldodge]

As Scott06 mentioned, a seal leak in most cases is not just a seal leak, the seal leaks because something changed