Tohatsu 3.5 drive shaft bushing

[clayte]

I took the lower unit off of my older Tohatsu 3.5 long-shaft outboard to replace the water pump impeller. When withdrawing the driveshaft a hard rubber bushing fell out of the leg. It is 21 mm in length and has a 21 mm outside diameter and clearly fits around the drive shaft, but I cannot figure out where, or what purpose it serves. There are two drilled openings in the leg casting that the driveshaft passes through on its way to the engine, of course, but the inside diameter of these holes is smaller than the outside diameter of this mystery bushing. Any ideas where this bushing goes?
Thanks very much!

 

[pvanv]

We really should have your precise model, not just horsepower. It's always best to replace the complete wp kit, instead of just the impeller; pumps better, and lasts longer. There is a bushing used on some long models that reduces drive shaft whip. here is what the page from the parts catalog shows: