Replace wear ring w/o removing impeller, possible?

[kmack]

The wear ring on my 97 GSX needs to be replaced. We have plans to use it this weekend but I don't have time to search out the small impeller removal tool. And I really don't want to face the high labor costs of taking the nozzle in to the dealer.

Is it possible to replace the wear ring without taking the impeller off? I know there is supposed to be a minimum clearance between the two, so based on that theory, it should work. But.... that's easier said than done. I know if I work slowly I can get the old wear ring out, I just want to know if I'd be able to slide the new one back in.

Or....
Does anybody have a removal tool here in TX they don't mind letting me borrow?

 

[seadoosnipe]

No.......

No, it's physically impossible to cut the righ out with the impeller in place. Sorry...............:cheers:

 

[kmack]

Well....it doesn't hurt to ask. At least I know now.

I stopped by the dealer today just see what they said and if they had a wear ring in stock. $90 labor plus $55 for the ring. Wasn't quite as bad as I thought. They just couldn't get to it until the 24th! And that was with me dropping the parts off w/o the ski! And the wear ring actually looks like it has a slight taper to it, but that may been my eyes deceiving me.

They didn't have the impeller removal tool, though. Ebay, here I come...

 

[robin savell lloyd]

I have seen where it was almost possible. I think they ran threw a bed of rocks. It looked like the impeller was half out of it allso. :rofl::cheers:

 

[xp537]

i did it today without removing the impeller on my 99 gtx limited i just took a large flat head screwdriver and knocked it out from the opposite side with the screwdriver inbetween the opening of the blade of the impeller it came out like butter took the new one out of the freezer and put some lock tight around it and slid it in until it got tight then knocked it in the rest of the way with a rubber mallet it was easy as pie and it was my first time doing one give it a try whats the worst that can happen you have to take it to the shop .

 

[kmack]

Well, here is the update of my wear-ring replacement.

Finally got my new wear-ring from SeaDoo today. Took over a week. But I don't have my impeller removal tool yet (bummer).

Well, we are going to the lake on Thursday so I really need to get this done, so I start thinking....(yeah....I know....bad idea!)

Anyway, Used a hacksaw blade and cut a slit in the outer edge of the ring just enough to get a flat-blade screwdriver into the ring itself. I then slowly worked the edge of the ring up and out of the housing. After I had worked it out about 3/8", I used two vise-grips clamped on the ring edge. With the housing held in the vise, and holding the vise-grips, I slowly wiggled the ring out of the housing. With the impeller in place. A little locktite on the new one and it slid right in place.

As of this evening, the ski is back in business. We'll see how it holds up on the water this weekend.

 

[JPX]

Good to hear with a little determination, a lot of motivation and some luck that the boat is ready to go.!