Boot Protector Shift Rod Cap 822158 for Mercury 25 30 40 45 50 HP Outboard
Boot Protector Shift Rod Cap 822158 for Mercury 25 30 40 45 50 HP Outboard
Product Overview
Shift rod boot protector for the Mercury 25, 30, 40, 45 and 50 HP four stroke outboards, supplied as 1 x boot. This part caps and protects the shift rod where it leaves the housing. It replaces Mercury 822158 and fits the 25 HP, 30 HP, 40 HP, 45 HP and 50 HP models listed below.
The boot is the rubber sleeve that sits over the shift rod at the joint between the powerhead and the midsection. It keeps water, salt and sand out of the shift rod bore, and it holds the rod centred as it moves up and down through the gear selection.
It is a small rubber part doing a job that metal cannot do. Once the boot splits or hardens, water goes down the shift rod bore, the rod starts to corrode, and the corrosion takes the bore with it. A seized shift rod means the engine will not come out of gear, which is the point where a cheap boot turns into a lower unit job.
The other failure is the cap coming off. The cap holds the boot seated. Without it the boot walks off the rod, and the engine loses its seal without the boot itself being damaged.
The number on the part is 822158. On the eBay listings the same item is described as a Boot Protector, a Shift Rod Cap and a Boot-Shift Shaft Rod Cap, which are all names for this one boot.
Specifications & Attributes
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Condition | New / New with tags |
| Type | Shift rod boot protector |
| Mercury Part Number | 822158 |
| Fits | Mercury 25, 30, 40, 45 and 50 HP four stroke outboards |
| Horsepower | 25 HP, 30 HP, 40 HP, 45 HP and 50 HP |
| Models | 5 horsepower groups, all four stroke, see the table below |
| Parts In Kit | 1 piece |
| Quantity | 1 boot |
| Net Weight | 17 g including packaging |
| Packaging | Pack |
| Warranty | 3 year |
OEM Cross Reference
| Component | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Shift rod boot protector | 822158 |
Compatible Engines
| Mercury Outboard | Engine |
|---|---|
| 25 HP | 4 stroke |
| 30 HP | 2 or 3 cylinder, 4 stroke |
| 40 HP | Carburettor, 2 or 3 cylinder, 4 stroke |
| 45 HP | Bodensee Italy, 4 stroke |
| 50 HP | Bigfoot, 4 stroke |
These are the 5 horsepower groups given on the listings for this boot. All of them are Mercury four stroke outboards, and the boot is the same on each because the shift rod and the housing at that joint did not change across the range.
Two of the entries need a word of explanation. The 45 HP Bodensee Italy is the European market version of the 45 HP four stroke, and Bodensee Italy is the model designation Mercury used for it, not a different engine. The 50 HP Bigfoot is the large gearcase version of the 50 HP four stroke.
The listings do not give years or serial number ranges for any of these groups. Each horsepower group covers many model years, so if you are not certain, send us the engine model, the year and the serial number and we will check the boot against it before you order.
What's Included
| Component | Detail | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Shift rod boot | 822158, the rubber boot that seals the shift rod bore | 1 |
| Cap | Supplied with the boot, holds the boot seated on the rod | Included |
| Shift rod | Not included | 0 |
| Lower unit seals | Not included | 0 |
This listing is for the boot on its own. The shift rod and the seals inside the lower unit are separate parts.
Key Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Direct replacement | Fits in place of Mercury 822158 |
| Five horsepower groups | 25 HP through to the 50 HP, all four stroke listed |
| Covers the Bigfoot | Fits the 50 HP Bigfoot four stroke |
| Covers Bodensee Italy | Fits the 45 HP Bodensee Italy four stroke |
| Seals the rod bore | Keeps water and sand out of the shift rod |
| Small part, big job | A split boot is what seizes a shift rod |
Signs The Boot Needs Replacing
| What You See | What It Means | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Boot split or perished | Water going down the shift rod bore | Fit a new boot before the rod corrodes |
| Boot hardened and cracked at the folds | Rubber aged out | Fit a new boot |
| Cap missing | Boot not held seated, walks off the rod | Fit a new boot and cap |
| Gear selection stiff or sticking | Shift rod corroded in the bore | Check the rod, fit a new boot |
| Water or emulsified oil in the lower unit | Boot gone, water past the shift rod | Fit a new boot and change the gear oil |
| Sand or grit around the shift rod | Boot split at the bottom | Fit a new boot |
Fitting Notes
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check the engine horsepower group against the table above |
| 2 | Take the cowl off and find the shift rod joint between the powerhead and the midsection |
| 3 | Note how the old boot and cap sit before anything is taken off |
| 4 | Take the old boot off and check the shift rod for corrosion and pitting |
| 5 | Clean the rod and the bore, and clear any sand or salt out of the recess |
| 6 | Fit the new boot over the rod, seated square in the recess |
| 7 | Fit the cap so the boot is held down and cannot walk off the rod |
| 8 | Check forward, neutral and reverse through the full travel before the boat goes back on the water |
Condition & Warranty
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Condition | New / New with tags |
| Warranty | 3 year |
| Packaging | Pack |
Before You Buy
- Shift rod boot protector for Mercury four stroke outboards
- Replaces Mercury 822158
- Fits the 25 HP four stroke
- Fits the 30 HP 2 or 3 cylinder four stroke
- Fits the 40 HP carburettor 2 or 3 cylinder four stroke
- Fits the 45 HP Bodensee Italy four stroke
- Fits the 50 HP Bigfoot and four stroke
- Supplied with its cap
- 17 g with packaging
- 30-Day Easy Returns
- Free Worldwide Shipping
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Boat Owners' Review
Before You Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
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