Brentathon
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2009
- Messages
- 399
(1991 Merc 5.7 Alpha)
I launched the boat this past weekend, and was VERY happy not to see a leak from my Upper Swivel Shaft Seal....due to the replacement.
I'll try to post some pics of the old parts. The non-stainless steel swivel shaft (a "design flaw" in my opinion) had significant corrosion on the bearing/sealing surface, which would prevent any seal from lasting.
The upper and lower bushings were "shot"; both had no coating on the I.D., and the large one was paper thin on one side.
Removing the Swivel Shaft Nut was rather easy; however I highly recommend using a nut with notches in it, to help get a bite on the punch/awl.
The hardest part of the job was removing the upper bushing; my bushing puller tool that I bought couldn't work, so I simply used a sharp/small chisel and carefully split the busing and pryed it out of the bore. The large bushing was the second most difficult part; I used a different slide hammer puller that did work OK.
I think the "drilling holes" method may be easier than removing the whole engine, especially if you already have the holes drilled/tapped (for a second/subsequant seal replacement job).
I decided to use black 3M 5200 sealant on the plastic pipe plugs, as that stuff is very durable, especially below waterline, and I don't have as much confidence in "Perfect Seal".
The Lower Swivel Pin had some big pits in it, so I replace that, too. And I replaced the lower Swivel Pin Bushing in the Gimbal Ring; and even used Resiweld!
All Bellows and shift cable was replaced; but I didn't replace the water hose.....hopefully that won't prove to be a mistake.
I launched the boat this past weekend, and was VERY happy not to see a leak from my Upper Swivel Shaft Seal....due to the replacement.
I'll try to post some pics of the old parts. The non-stainless steel swivel shaft (a "design flaw" in my opinion) had significant corrosion on the bearing/sealing surface, which would prevent any seal from lasting.
The upper and lower bushings were "shot"; both had no coating on the I.D., and the large one was paper thin on one side.
Removing the Swivel Shaft Nut was rather easy; however I highly recommend using a nut with notches in it, to help get a bite on the punch/awl.
The hardest part of the job was removing the upper bushing; my bushing puller tool that I bought couldn't work, so I simply used a sharp/small chisel and carefully split the busing and pryed it out of the bore. The large bushing was the second most difficult part; I used a different slide hammer puller that did work OK.
I think the "drilling holes" method may be easier than removing the whole engine, especially if you already have the holes drilled/tapped (for a second/subsequant seal replacement job).
I decided to use black 3M 5200 sealant on the plastic pipe plugs, as that stuff is very durable, especially below waterline, and I don't have as much confidence in "Perfect Seal".
The Lower Swivel Pin had some big pits in it, so I replace that, too. And I replaced the lower Swivel Pin Bushing in the Gimbal Ring; and even used Resiweld!
All Bellows and shift cable was replaced; but I didn't replace the water hose.....hopefully that won't prove to be a mistake.
