Mercury Optimax 115 Service Manual page 374

RIGHT HAND NON-RATCHETING
Propeller Shaft
INSPECTION
1. Clean propeller shaft assembly with solvent and dry with compressed air.
2. Inspect bearing carrier oil seal surfaces for grooves. Run fingernail across seal sur-
face to check for groove. Replace shaft if groove is found.
3. Visually check bearing surfaces of propeller shaft for pitting, grooves, scoring, uneven
wear or discoloration (bluish color) from overheating. Replace shaft and correspond-
ing needle bearing if any of the above conditions are found. (Bearing carrier needle
bearing contacts propeller shaft just in front of oil seal surface. Forward gear bearing
contacts propeller shaft in front of sliding clutch splines.)
4. Inspect propeller shaft splines for wear and/or corrosion damage.
5. Check propeller shaft for straightness. Use either method, following:
BALANCE WHEELS
Place propeller shaft on balance wheels. Rotate propeller shaft and observe propeller end
of shaft for "wobble." Replace shaft if any "wobble" is observed.
a -
b -
c -
Position propeller shaft roller bearing surfaces on "vee" blocks. Mount a dial indicator at
front edge of propeller splines. Rotate propeller shaft. Dial indicator movement of more
than 0.006 in. (0.152 mm) (or noticeable "wobble") is reason for replacement.
a -
b -
c -
Page 6A-20
b
c
Balance Wheels
Bearing Surfaces
Watch for Wobble
b
c
"Vee" Blocks
Bearing Surfaces
Measure with Dial Indicator at this Point
b
a
51872
b
a
51872
90-855347R1 JANUARY 1999