I read a couple old posts and I think this is somewhat normal from what I'm reading but... I have a 05' 23 hp hyperdrive and I just pulled the prop, prop sleeve/bearing retainer, and the bearing cap to grease the shaft. I have the model that doesn't have the bleed fitting. Anyways, I greased it up then I re-installed the bearing cap, then the bearing retainer and ran it up "tight" (I'd guess seat of the pants estimate of ~60 ft-lbs) then put the washers, prop and nuts on. I tightened the nuts (again ~60 ft-lbs) and then pulled the zerk fitting out and ran the motor. I ran it for 5 mins or so and I pulled it up to 4000 rpm one time. I wiped the excess grease then put the threaded plug back in the hole.

I happened to feel the lower bearing housing and noticed it was quite warm, hot enough I could hold on to it but just barely. I am almost certain that i saw ball bearings in the housing, so I don't think you can really over tighten the retainer but thats the only think I can think that would cause this heating. I don't really know if it was getting hot before I did the job but I can say that there does not appear to be any vibration or anything like that.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

is 60ft pounds a torqe for new bearings or old?

if its for new you prolly have to much preload on them and they running hot

It's an old bearing but like I say, I thought I saw a ball bearing up inside covered in grease. The ball bearing inner race would take the load from the torque and the balls and outer race shouldn't be affected really by it. Now if I was mistaken and there is a roller bearing in there, then the preload will matter greatly...additionally I would probably have just f'd my bearings.

wait...Also if the outer race is held I by the housing then that would explain why the preload could cause pressure on the balls... I'm sorry T-Bubba you might be right.

hmm wonder if that 5 min run time f'd my bearings...

i am not familair with the stetup... but if you have to put a preload on the bearing its most likely to tight if its hot..

if you toasted the bearing i am sure you could match it up with a timken or national at the local parts store

well i just went and loosened it all up then re-tightened the the preload and then back off a smidge... ran it for 5-10 min and it warm but not as bad as before. Ill probably call mud buddy or the boat dr on monday and try to figure out the correct procedure.

It's kinda weird cause the manual doesnt address this really but they say to take this all apart to do the 100 hour greasing.

The way you do it is loosen the set screw on the lower gear, tighten the crap outta all the bearings first. Once all that is tight, stand lower unit up with prop end on a piece if wood, and push down on gear. Tighten set screw and you're good to go.

Just as an update incase someone searches this topic later here's what I found. I pulled it all apart to check the grease and visually look at the part of the bearing I could see. No particles in the grease and the bearing was not discolored. I put the prop nut/ bearing retainer on until it was tight then backed off 1/8-1/4 turn then installed the prop. I ran it out of the water for 10 mins and it got pretty warm again but not so much you couldnt touch it by any means.

I took it to the lake and ran about 5 miles or so and then pulled up to a sand bar and got out to feel it and it was cold. everything ran normal as best as I can tell so I think it's good to go. I'm not gonna worry about it anymore.