1996 Mercury Force 25 HP Service Manual 90-830894 895, Page 93Get this manual
14To determine if bearing requires replacement, inspect area on propeller shaft that bearing contacts for pitting, grooves, scoring, uneven wear or discolorationIf any of the preceding conditions are found, replace bearing and propeller shaft dPosition cam follower against solid surface
CBearing Carrier Bearing and Oil Seal SurfacesSliding ClutchClutch Jaws
aCam FollowerCross Pin
ePush against cam followerUse punch or awl to push cross-pin out of sliding clutchfRelease pressure against cam follower
15If inspection of bearing area on propeller shaft determines that replacement of bearing inside of bearing carrier is require, remove bearing from bearing carrier, as follows: aSecure bearing carrier in vise, (do not clamp on threaded portion of bearing carrier)bRemove bearing from bearing carrier with punch and hammer16Check propeller shaft for straightness17If after inspecting bearing surfaces, splines, "jaws" on sliding clutch and propeller shaft for straightness, it is determined that further disassembly of propeller shaft is required, disassemble propeller shaft as follows: aInsert thin blade screwdriver or awl under first coil (from front) of cross-pin retainer springbRotate propeller shaft to unwind spring from sliding clutchcInsert flat end of cam follower into front end of propeller shaft