Mercury Mariner 200, 225 Optimax Outboards Service Manual, 90-855348, Page 411Get this manual
Pre-Disassembly Inspection Propeller Shaft
INSPECTION
Gear Housing and Component Disassembly
Water Pump Assembly
REMOVAL
1Inspect the propeller shaft for side to side movement, as follows: aPosition the dial indicator on the propeller shaftbPush the propeller shaft to one side and zero the dial indicatorcMove the propeller shaft to the opposite side while observing the dial indicatorWithout rotating the propeller shaft, reposition the dial indicator and check the up and down deflectionA shaft deflection of more than 0.003 in(0.08 mm) indicates worn propeller shaft bearing2Check for bent propeller shaft as follows: aRotate the propeller shaft while observing the dial indicatorIf the deflection is more than 0.009 in(0.229 mm), bent propeller shaft is indicated3Measure propeller shaft endplayIf it is in excess of 0.093 in(2.362mm), disassemble gear case and check condition of the reverse shoulder of the propeller shaft, reverse gear and thrust washerReplace components as required