Change wear ring without removing impeller?

[swill777]

How hard would it be to cut the wear ring out (98 Sportster) without taking the impeller off, using a jigsaw or sawzall with a small blade? Has anyone successfully done this??

 

[timmyboy76]

yah, there's a thread/post, that someone concoured it, might as well, at worst, need to order the tool...

 

[swill777]

Ahhh. I ordered the tool for $11 from SBT. I needed a few things anyways. Thanks.

 

[Jared]

Ive got the same boat, 98 sportster 1800, and just changed out the wear rings on both pumps three weeks ago. It is impossible to do without removing the impeller.

 

[swill777]

Glad I got the tool coming then!
On another note.. did you, or anyone else use Loctite 648 when putting the ring back? Someone on the SBT board was suggesting this.. Any thoughts?

 

[Jared]

Nope no locktite, just put it in the freezer for 30min then slipped it in. Nice and tight once back to room temp. plus... it is held in by the transom and the four bolts that hold the pump on... and don't forget the silicone!

 

[swill777]

silicone?

I ordered a new neoprene seal for the pump... So, I peel off the back and stick the neoprene seal to the hull, then apply silicone on the outside (or "the right stuff") of the seal between it and the jet-pump???

 

[Jared]

I didn't put a neoprene seal, just plently of high quality silicone and it runs pefectly.

 

[Jared]

by the way...what is your top speed? I have changed out both wear rings and have solas 13/21 impellers in like new condition and can't break 45mph. Some other people say they get into the 50's... just wondering if something is wrong. The boat has no problems pulling up a wakeboarder with 5 other people in the boat, but it would be nice to squeeze out 5-10 extra mph

 

[sporsterjoel]

by the way...what is your top speed? I have changed out both wear rings and have solas 13/21 impellers in like new condition and can't break 45mph. Some other people say they get into the 50's... just wondering if something is wrong. The boat has no problems pulling up a wakeboarder with 5 other people in the boat, but it would be nice to squeeze out 5-10 extra mph

maybe put the seal in that you say you didnt?

 

[Jared]

nice idea only there is no neoprene ring on the parts diagram from rivasports parts supplier for a 98 sporster 1800... at least that I can see, and there was no neoprene ring installed when I took it apart to change out the wear rings.

 

[swill777]

Before the wear ring went bad, I could get up to around 44mph...
In the SeaDoo Repair manual it states to replace the neoprene seal on the '98 sportster 1800. So I ordered on for a few bucks and put it in.

by the way...what is your top speed? I have changed out both wear rings and have solas 13/21 impellers in like new condition and can't break 45mph. Some other people say they get into the 50's... just wondering if something is wrong. The boat has no problems pulling up a wakeboarder with 5 other people in the boat, but it would be nice to squeeze out 5-10 extra mph

 

[meirvin]

The rxp/rxt pump you can put in the freezer for 30-45 mins and the wear ring will slide out but they are metal pumps and I bet that is why so if your pump by chance is metal give the freezer a try

 

[sporsterjoel]

nice idea only there is no neoprene ring on the parts diagram from rivasports parts supplier for a 98 sporster 1800... at least that I can see, and there was no neoprene ring installed when I took it apart to change out the wear rings.

Then what the heck is SWILL talkin about lol

 

[vilord]

The solas impellers are meant to improve "hookup" and hole shots, right?

If so, they probably will lose a bit in the top end to get there... if you want 50, try going back to factory impellers, but you'll lose the hole shot.... Gotta give something to get something.

 

[swill777]

so here is the update....
after the new wear ring was installed, and a new neoprene seal was put in, the pump to hull was sealed with "the right stuff" and the pump to the venturi was sealed with "the right stuff" -- the boat hooks up super fast, tops out at 46 mph... i also cleaned both carbs out and setup the idle and low-speed screws prior to doing this.. so both motor run strong at 7k. the boat is much more fun to drive now and it's not a problem to get on plane. so the other pump/weat ring looks "ok" -- but it is definitely slightly worn.. so I think after the winter I'm going to do that one too.
for someone who hasn't done the wear ring/changed the pump oil... go for it.. it's really not that hard at all, and doesn't take that long.. I'm sure I could do it now in 60-90mins easy since I pretty much had to do the job twice in two days (since I forgot to put the driveshaft boot back on). putting the wear ring in the freezer makes it SO SO SO easy to install.. just slips right in.
also, I used a jigsaw with a small med/fine blade and it was pretty easy to cut the old ring out... just be careful not to go into the pump housing.. keep cutting a little bit at a time, then wedge a flathead screwdriver under the old right and keep prying.. it will "pop" and the seam will break.. then it is really easy to get out.
hit me up if you have any problems... thanks for all the help/advice guys!