Had a few teeth break on the forward hear set . I noticed it making a small knocking sound about 5 miles from the dock . I got the the top case apart .
What will I need to check for on the lower unit
Yes there was some metal on the lower plug magnet

all going to have to come apart at this point

Lower needs to be taken apart cleaned and checked or you'll be sorry

will pull it apart

THX

After you clean lower out. If when setting rolling torque on pinion and overall preload on prop shaft. You feel rough spots, needle on torque wrench starts jumping around metal filings have imbedded into bearing rollers.