Water pump replacement

[jp71291]

I changed the impeller on my water pump this weekend but had alot of trouble getting the splines to line back up on the main shaft. After trying and trying, I finally got a flash light and looked up into motor to see why it wasn't lining up. There was something blocking the casing the shaft goes into. I got a rod and started to move it and it looked like some kind of a bushing. I finally got the bushing (or whatever it was) lined up and the shaft on the lower unit went into place. Any idea what that bushing is and what purpose it serves? Just wanna make sure everything is okay.

[deesel104]

Are you referring to the plastic guide tube? See Sherm's tips at the link below for more info.

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/sttips.htm

[EuropeanAM]

That would be the SEAL on the end of the crankshaft that seals off the splined area of the DRIVESHAFT, retaining grease in the splines.

This seal usually fails/falls out due to one of the following:

-Lack of lubrication on driveshaft splines (ie: long overdue water pump or service)
-Over-zealous attempts to remove or reinstall gearcase.

This seal does indeed serve a necessary function, and must be driven into place in the bottom of the crankshaft.

If it's dislodged, that means it may be "hammering around" on the driveshaft, or inside the adapter plate, where it can cause premature failure of either component.

It should be reinstalled, or replaced. The "book" method is to remove the powerhead, install a new seal/carrier, and reassemble.

I have, on a couple of occassions, used "imaginitive means" to reinstall a seal that fell (dowel rod with hose glued to it, PVC pipe, etc... as a long "driver"). It's tedious... but if you're real lucky, it MIGHT be worth the effort.

[jp71291]

Thank you for your help!!!! I got the seal back in by using PVC, dowel rod, broken fishing rod, and gun cleaning rod. Now I just hope it will stay and the motor vibration doesn't work it loose.

[reelswift]

Thank you for your help!!!! I got the seal back in by using PVC, dowel rod, broken fishing rod, and gun cleaning rod. Now I just hope it will stay and the motor vibration doesn't work it loose.

Did that do the trick with the seal ?