Is rear bearing wear a problem for jets drives?

[Rivernut]

A non-jet boater on another site was saying that jets are not low mantainence compared to geared lower units because the rear bearings need replacing every 3-4 years. Any truth to this? How can you tell if it is worn?

[Jetty 468]

Rivernut:
A non-jet boater on another site was saying that jets are not low mantainence compared to geared lower units because the rear bearings need replacing every 3-4 years. Any truth to this? How can you tell if it is worn? If you ran the thing out of the water alot you would have to replace it in that time period .BUT this can be a do it yourself job and cost under $200.00 Speed loss of 3 or so mph . Get inside a lower unit and most do it yourselfer's can get in some trouble and I have seen the bill from that job $$$$$$$$$$ . If you are seeing more rpm and less mph ,it's time ! I have heard of alot of folk's with 70's jet's that have never had the pump gone through not to say it's not worn BUT still doing it's job !! IMO jet's are way less trouble then other drive's and cost LESS!! :D

[matt1]

Rear bowl bearings cost somewhere between $7&10 a piece dollars and a seal cost about ten.So for 30$$$ your go to go for awhile,a lower unit on an O/B can run between 1500 to 2500$$$$$ to repair.You can by a whole new pump for that :D All you really need to do is make sure you keep fresh gear oil in the bowl.
[ January 26, 2003, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: matt1 ]

[SoCalPower]

You can do simple check by grabbing the shaft through the inspection cover, or from the bottom of the intake by removing the grate. If the bowl bearings are worn you will feel radial clearance. If it gets severe, the impeller will rub the wear ring and worse case the bowl bushings wear away and damage the bore in the bowl.