Yesterday I changed the lower unit oil in my outboard.When I went to put the lower plug in I noticed it had a small BB size ball bearing a little smaller than an 1/8" stuck to the magnetic bottom of the plug.I have no issues with it and the prop spins smooth.Should I be worried or did I pick up this ball somewhere where I set the plug down.Does the lower unit have a ball bearing this small?Any help would be appreciated as I dont want it torn down if there is nothing wrong.THANX!!

There are 4 small ball bearings in the shift slider. Two different sizes.

If someone tried to pull the prop shaft holder out without first removing the shift shaft, the shift slider will pull out of the prop shaft and the balls will pop out. They act as shift detents.

If you have have the unit resealed or prop shaft pulled for some reason, they may have done what I said above. If they noticed it, they could have replaced the balls even though they did not find them all.

Better have someone pull the prop shaft holder and check out what is going on. If there are more ball bearings inside, you will have major problems.

Mike

You were dead on!!!! Thats exactly what happend THANKS!!! The ball was .162, the internet and microfish show 3/16" and 11/32" they are wrong,.162" is smaller than both.