Lock not working to keep outdrive down

[2stroke1971]

I knew something was wrong when my boat was turning weird in reverse....the lock is not engaging and the outdrive hops in reverse!

I looked at the mechanism...its too far out to catch the rod...the linkage goes up and into the drive near where the piston from the lift hits it.

Where the linkage goes into the drive frame, there is a nut...I guess thats an adjuster because theres about an inch of the linkage thats threaded there, but where the linkage goes into the drive, its not solid...you can pull it out somewhat if you flex the linkage, so I dont know what that nut would even do.

Normally, what happens? I take it the drive only locks in place in the maximum down position right? Then it releases somehow by virtue of that linkage? Is it just the motion of the drive lifting that works that link arm to release it? I just cant seem to figure out how its supposed to work, so I can troubleshoot mine. Right now, it just stays too far out no matter what position the drive is in.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

can we get a drive make and model number ?

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

I'm thinking VP 280,,,?

 

[JAL51974]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

I think that 280 drive operates the same as my 270. The drive is locked down so that it does not kick up when going in reverse like you describe. I will see if I can find the schematic and post it so that you can see what parts are supposed to be on there. I would not operate the boat until you get it fixed, lots of expensive parts can break if that drive unit is hopping up and down!

Do a search on this topic here and you will find the discussions of this issue.

Joe

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

Sorry, stupid of me.... Its a 270 outdrive. Im gonna go wrestle with it in a few minutes. Luckily, the stars have aligned...its raining, I dont have to go into work today, and I had lots of sleep last night! (A rare combination, I assure you!)

 

[captmello]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

Are you saying that there is one inch of threads blow the adjustment nut? If so, someone has run the nut up high on the linkage to allow the outdrive to tilt up bacause it it most likely missing the thrust sleeve that threads onto the rod above the nut.

Here's a pic of the thrust sleeve that is pushed down by the tilt rod as you begin to raise the drive, releasing the lock mech allowing the outdrive to tilt.

[/IMG]

In this pic you can see the sleeve with the nut at the bottom.

[/IMG]

 

[captmello]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

here's what you should see with the outdrive down.

[/IMG]

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

Thanks for the pics!

I managed to wrestle the rod out of its place in the outdrive, and there is a thrust sleeve on it...I understand the nut now, its to lock that sleeve. The sleeve was up most of the way, so I turned it all the way down.. it seemed to me that the rod should have been shorter..

Still doesnt come in. With the drive down, against the transverse rod that it rests against, the hooks are away, and I cant even force them in. BUT, if I lift the drive just a bit off that rod, I can move the clamps into position by hand. Ive got a feeling that the springs are not quite right down there, one of the bolts that two of the springs are on is not stainless....

Anyway, I thought about putting some rubber bushings on that transverse rod, really, I would cut short sections of hose to go over the rod at the spots where the outdrive rests against it. That should move the drive position just enough to allow the clamps to come in, then I just need to figure out how to make them come in.

Got lots of other stuff done, that was the last thing on today's list, just ran out of time.

 

[captmello]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

Fixing that retaining pawl has brought many grown men to their knees. It's a simple mechanical system that can drive a guy nuts.

The spring that brings it up under the bar is in the center.

[/IMG]

Its easy to fix, seems like I fix mine all the time.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

SO Im understanding how its supposed to work.
The ram for the lift hits the sleeve on the end of the linkage arm...

So the more of that nub I see above the frame towards the ram, the more throw I will get out of the arm.

My clip has that spring in the middle, as well as two more springs on wither side, a bit lower.

I ought to be able to adjust the sleeve up, and work it with a screwdriver until I can get the hook to do what I want it to.(Rather than have one of the kids hit the lift again and again while I watch!) Right now, I can grab the link arm and move it down, but it doesnt want to even go, it does nothing to move the clips. Thanks again for the pics, I will get a pic of mine this afternoon and post it as it sets, before I start beating on it again!

 

[rucaradio]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

I was pulling my hair due to this exact problem last year.. My issue was with the little "hooks" that grab the pawl on either side of the reverse mechanism. Changed both ($75/each) and the problem is fixed.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Lock not working to keep outdrive down

The manual has some prety good instructions on adjustments - all the way from the linkage to the thrust sleeve distance above the arm. Won't prevent insanity while working on the lockout keeps you occupied on the way there