Outdrive clicking noise

[mrfixall96]

I have a Mercruiser 888. It is out of the water and if I have it in neutral I can spin the prop freely in both directions(correct). If in forward I can not turn it counter clockwise(correct) but when turning clockwise it makes a clicking noise. Same goes for reverse except for direction. Could this be a bent shift shaft? or possibly the the pinion gear is not fully engaged? I had it on the water last week and it seemed to run well except for the noise( I trailered it as soon as I noticed it)
Thank you,
Travis

 

[blueoval1]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

Had the same thing on my buddie's boat. Shift rod bellcrank was not in the proper position when the drive was installed. Sounds like yours might be shift cable adjustment or replacement.
Don S will probably give you a better diagnosis soon.

 

[mrfixall96]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

Thank you. I did try it to no avail. I needed to replace water inlet hose so I removed the out drive. Symptoms persist with outdrtive off the boat. Thanks again!

 

[mrfixall96]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

Could this just be normal? I wasn't lacking power while on the water.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

Mine does the same thing, I think thats normal. If not we both have the same problem.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

How did you hear the noise with the engine running?.....​

 

[mrfixall96]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

My wife heard it...(She hears everything)

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

Well, the clicking you describe is normal for the drive when the prop is turned opposite of the locking direction.....
The sound you (she ) may be hearing are the exhaust shutters rattling.....
Next time you run it, put a stethescope or a piece of hose on one (or both) of the risers or on the y pipe itself & listen......​

 

[mrfixall96]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

Thanks Haut. The sound is definatley from the gearing. I had to remove the outdrive to change the water inlet hose. While it was off the boat I could turn manually while holding the shift lever in foward or reverse and feel/hear the click. Maybe I just never noticed it before. My fear is that the pinion gear is not lined up correctly. I think I would have low power though if that were the case. Thanks for your help

 

[mrfixall96]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

O.K. So I have adjusted the shift cable per the manual. It now only clicks (hard and loud) in reverse, but is perfect in foward. Is the goal here to get it to click equally loud and hard in both gears?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

Yup, if you can't get it to lock in reverse, you may have to play with the barrel nut & get it.....
However, there is also the chance that you either have excessive play in the cable or in the lower gear case......
In manual #6 there are tests to isolate excessive play in the troubleshooting section.....
If you have shift spool or shift crank wear the lower gear case must be disassembled & the worn parts replaced......
What happens is that the shift slide bottoms out on the bell housing & won't let the drive shift into reverse......
But it will when off the bell housing......
The play can only be 12* or less.....​

 

[mrfixall96]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

Allright, it now clicks equally in both directions. Both gears engage. Neutral spins freely. Guess I'll throw it on the water and see how it goes. If I jump overboard it is because I went to take out the plug Thanks for your help!!!

 

[wcsparky05]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

i would replace your shift cables. i need to also. i believe that click you hear is grinding on your clutch dog. if you dont replace them, it will damage tour lower unit.

 

[golfercris]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

I have a clicking noise when I spin my prop in nuetral counter clockwise

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

We also have the soft clicking sound on our 233 outdrive (351W) when you spin it opposite the locking direction. It has been that way for decades and we haven't had an issue.

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrive clicking noise

golfercris, Best to start a new thread, not at the end of a 3 year old thread.