Mercury MerCruiser Bravo Bearing Carrier Oil Seal 880596502 | Propeller Shaft Seal
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Mercury MerCruiser Bravo Bearing Carrier Oil Seal 880596502
Part Number: 880596502 | Also listed as: 26-880596502
Brand: Mercury / MerCruiser / Quicksilver
Official Product Type: Bearing Carrier Oil Seal — Propeller Shaft Sealing
System: Sterndrive Lower Gear Housing — Bearing Carrier / Propeller Shaft Assembly
Engine Family: MerCruiser Bravo Sterndrive
Diagram Position: Bearing carrier / propeller shaft sealing area in the lower gear housing — confirm exact position in the Mercury parts diagram for your drive model and serial number
A genuine OEM Mercury MerCruiser oil seal for the bearing carrier / propeller shaft sealing assembly in applicable Bravo sterndrive lower gear housings. This seal retains gear lubricant inside the drive while blocking water intrusion at the propeller shaft area. A failed bearing carrier seal causes gear oil loss, water contamination of the gear lube, and accelerated bearing and gear wear — making it a critical service item during any bearing carrier or propeller shaft service.
Compatible Applications
- MerCruiser Bravo sterndrive lower gear housing — bearing carrier / propeller shaft assembly
- Confirm fitment by drive model, serial number, and the Mercury parts diagram before ordering
Seal fitment is drive-model and serial-number specific. Always verify part number 880596502 against the Mercury parts diagram for your exact drive before ordering.
Part Details
- Component type: Oil seal — bearing carrier / propeller shaft
- Mercury catalog prefix: 26- (oil seals and shaft seals)
- Function: Retains gear lubricant and blocks water intrusion at the propeller shaft / bearing carrier interface
- Drive type: MerCruiser Bravo sterndrive
- OEM status: Genuine Mercury MerCruiser — not aftermarket
Cross-Reference Part Numbers
- Mercury / MerCruiser OEM: 26-880596502 / 880596502
- Related Mercury references: 26-821092 / 821092 — verify by drive serial number and diagram
- Legacy reference: 26-54926 — verify by drive serial number and diagram
- Companion seal reference: 26-814242 — verify by diagram before ordering
- GLM aftermarket: 85510 — verify by application
- Sierra aftermarket: 18-48853 — verify by application
- SEI aftermarket: 94-126-01 — verify by application
Service Interval & When to Replace
- Replace whenever the bearing carrier is removed for service — oil seals are single-use components and should never be reused once disturbed
- Replace if gear oil shows water contamination (milky appearance) — a sign the seal has failed
- Replace if gear oil level is consistently low without visible external leakage — may indicate seal bypass
- Inspect at every annual service or gear oil change; replace at the first sign of seepage or deterioration
Installation Notes
- Remove the bearing carrier from the lower gear housing to access the seal.
- Press out the old seal carefully — avoid damaging the bearing carrier bore.
- Clean the seal bore and inspect for corrosion, scoring, or damage before installing the new seal.
- Apply a light film of gear lubricant to the seal lip before installation.
- Press the new seal in squarely to the correct depth — use the appropriate seal driver to avoid distorting the seal.
- Inspect the propeller shaft surface for wear or scoring in the seal contact area before reassembly.
- After reassembly, fill with fresh gear lubricant and check for leaks before returning the drive to service.
Technical FAQ
Q: How do I know if my bearing carrier seal has failed?
A: The most common signs are milky or water-contaminated gear oil at the annual gear oil change, a consistently low gear oil level, or visible oil seepage around the propeller shaft area. Any of these symptoms warrants immediate inspection and seal replacement.
Q: Should I replace both bearing carrier seals at the same time?
A: Yes. The bearing carrier typically uses two oil seals (inner and outer). If one has failed or is being replaced as a precaution, both should be replaced at the same time — the labour to access them is the same, and replacing only one leaves the other at risk of failing shortly after.
Q: Is 880596502 the same as 26-821092?
A: These are related references for the Bravo bearing carrier sealing area, but confirm which specific part number applies to your drive by checking the Mercury parts diagram for your serial number before ordering.
Parts Desk Insights
Best use case: This seal is the right choice for any Bravo sterndrive bearing carrier service where 880596502 is confirmed in the Mercury parts diagram. It is most commonly needed during annual gear oil changes when water contamination is discovered, or during propeller shaft or bearing carrier rebuilds. Replacing the seal proactively during any bearing carrier disassembly is always the better value compared to a repeat service visit.
Common issues: The most frequent issue is replacing only one seal when the bearing carrier uses two — always replace both inner and outer seals together. A second common issue is installing the new seal without inspecting the propeller shaft contact surface; a worn or scored shaft will damage the new seal quickly and cause an immediate repeat failure. Inspect the shaft carefully before reassembly.
Related Parts
Shipping information
In-stock and OEM parts: ship same or next business day.
Locally warehoused items: ship within 1-3 business days.
Special-order items: timeline confirmed after order.
Returns & warranty
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