Mercury Optimax 115 Service Manual page 415

LEFT HAND NON-RATCHETING
8. Remove locknut from the front gear housing mounting stud.
9. Loosen the side mounting locknuts. (DO NOT attempt to remove one nut before oppo-
site side is loosened sufficiently, or driveshaft housing could be damaged.)
a -
b -
10. Pull gear housing away from driveshaft housing as far as the loosened nuts (in Step
9) will allow, then remove loosened nuts. (DO NOT allow gear housing to fall, as it now
is free.)
11. Pull gear housing from driveshaft housing.
DRAINING AND INSPECTING GEAR HOUSING LUBRICANT
1. Place gear housing in a suitable holding fixture or vise with the driveshaft in a vertical
position, as shown.
NOTE: Drain and Fill screws may be located on the starboard side of gearcase on later
models.
2. Position a clean drain pan under gear housing and remove "Fill" and "Vent" screws
from gear housing.
3. Inspect gear lubricant for metal particles. Presence of a small amount of fine metal
particles (resembling powder) indicates normal wear. Presence of larger particles (or
a large quantity of fine particles) indicates need for gear housing disassembly, and
component inspection.
4. Note the color of gear lubricant. White or cream color indicates presence of water in
lubricant. Check drain pan for water separation from lubricant. Presence of water in
gear lubricant indicates the need for disassembly, and inspection of oil seals, seal sur-
faces, O-rings and gear housing components.
IMPORTANT: Gear lubricant drained from a recently run gear case will be a light
chocolate brown in color due to agitation/aeration. Oil which is stabilized will be
a clear yellow brown in color.
a -
b -
Page 6B-14
a
Front Mounting Locknut
Side Mounting Locknut (One Each Side)
b
Fill Screw
Vent Screw
b
51873
a
51871
90-855347R1 JANUARY 1999