1990 Merc V6 swivel bushings

[Miles B]

My motor is a model 1175412JD V6 175 from 1990. I am replacing the corroded mild steel swivel shaft with the later stainless version. I have run into a problem putting the plastic bushings into the swivel casting. Parts diagrams show my model should have a 1499-8710-6 or -7. I have a 1499-8709-C5. I gather this is a superseded part. Looking down the hole, I appear to have a metal sleeve at both top and bottom of my swivel shaft hole. The parts catalog shows a superseded bushing part number too, not sure if it was plastic.

Now the plastic bushings I've bought are 1.6mm thick. The shaft is 34.8mm thick. The ID of the "metal sleeve" is only 35.8mm. There is obviously no way that plastic bushing is going in there. 34.8 + 1.6 + 1.6 = 38mm. My question: is the metal sleeve supposed to come out? I seem to recall a very thin plastic like shell of a bushing coming out with the old shaft but I threw it out. It may have even just been paint that had separated from the old shaft.

[Miles B]

Attachment 425143
View down the upper hole showing the sleeve/bushing.

This appears to NOT be the original bracket. Looks like the SN sticker is stuck over another one.

[Miles B]

Bump... Nobody remembers what the inside bore of the swivel bracket should look like??

[vnemous]

The new bushing is a split like delran material and gray in color. I would think your old bushings are still in place which were different in their day if they are original. The tube is smooth hence when the bushings are in and steering shaft there is an area to collect grease. JMO

[Miles B]

Yep, I can see how the new ones should go in, I just don't know if I should pull the metal ones out. I'll have to destroy them. Then if the plastic ones still don't work, I'm pretty screwed.

[Miles B]

I went to see my local Merc expert. He said the arm is the original but is an older one than should be on it. Merc must have had old stock. Anyway, apparently before the plastic bushing was aluminum/fiber bushings. The fiber is gone on mine. He said tear them out and the plastic bushings should go in. I'll update with progress if anyone else ever faces this problem.