1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

DuckHuntingUsa

Recruit
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
2
Did something stupid. Pulled the lower unit to replace the water impeller and accidently (stupidly) removed the shaft from the lower unit. Shaft will go back into lower unit but will not engage the prop shaft. Pushing and pulling on shift rod doesn't make any difference. Am I in trouble? Is there anything I can do.<br /><br />If I've blown it, is replacement or rebuild better????<br /><br />Thanks in advance.
 

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Are you saying you removed the drive shaft from the gear case? I don't think you can do that without removing the pinion gear. Are you using a manual?<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Hooty<br /><br />Some models you can and if it cannot be re-aligned with the gear, he will need to disassemble it. On my 89' 28 HP it comes right out. But then again, it goes right back in with no problem or I just got real lucky.
 

Hooty

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Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Gotcha. ;) <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty
 

rickdb1boat

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Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

DuckHuntingUsa <br /><br />Grab ya a Manual and check it out. It's not the end of the world to undo what happened. I've seen posts on here that people have offered to get the gear re-aligned without tearing the lower unit apart, but I don't recall the method. Hang in there and keep checking your post. Someone will come along who will know. Bump up the post if you don't get anything after a day or so. Just reply with a ^ and it will go back to the top of the list. There's a guy on here(Joe Reeves) who knows just about everything that's OMC. He usually hangs around early in the morning. If all else fails, post directly to him. Also, you might do a search at the top of this page in the Johnson/Evinrude catagory. Something like "Johnson driveshaft" will bring up hundreds of hits. Good Luck,
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Guys, I'm a little puzzled here. The pinion gear has a fairly long spline socket on it. Ain't likely it fell out. Duck, ya' didn't drop anything in the hole did ya'....like maybe the impeller key. Just asking. If you have a long magnet, slide it down in there and see if anything is in there. Take a flashlight and look down in there. The driveshaft should go right back in.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
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Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

OBJ<br /><br />That's the way mine is, too. Got to have 1 to 1-1/2" spline if I remember right from looking at mine. I know I could take mine out and put it back in with no problem. Never really thought about it being a problem until I read this post and remembered another post about the same problem. I assume the driveshaft he is putting in is right side up, if ya know what I mean.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

DuckHuntingUsa <br /><br />Have you tried turning the prop while trying to engage the driveshaft, with the lower shiftshaft in forward or reverse, of course?
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Yeah rick, I do know what ya' mean...LOL. Tried that once myself....don't work.
 

backdraft

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
266
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Duck, With the lower unit in a vise or supported in some way , tilt it forward an inch or two and reach down thru where the drive shaft goes with a long screwdriver or a round dowel. Jiggle the unit and try to slide the dowel into the gear as it slides forward. If this is unsuccessful, tilt the lower unit slightly backwards and try fitting the dowel into the gear. If you get the dowel in properly, tilt the lower unit level , remove the dowel and slip the driveshaft down into the gear that you have centered. Works. [sometimes] nevjb
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Thanks for posting that, nevjb, Now that's what I was talkin' about! Glad to see I still have some memory left. :)
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Thanx's from me to nevjb. See? Ya can teach an old dog new tricks. :D :D
 

DuckHuntingUsa

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Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
2
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

Thanks for the ideas guys!!<br />The shaft does go back in just fine, no problem. But when I turn it the prop won't turn / engage. Can't get the shift rod to go up and down. Almost like its now stuck in neurtral.<br /><br />Still have the impeller key. Another thing that I foolishly did was loosen the vent screw when I reinserted the shaft due to it pushing back out from the pressure. Someone suggested to me that the shift rod may not be making up? And that there's a trick where you drill ands tap a hole to install akeeper pin in the lower unit. This lower unit has a screw mounted in the lower unit next to both the drain and vent plugs. <br />Have no manual. Way out in the boonies no boat places close.<br />Any other ideas are greatly appreciated!!
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: 1993 30 HP Lower unit problem

hello<br /> I am lost about the drilling and tapping. can you please re-explain that one to me? and did you remove a phillips headed screw by the drain screw? even for just a moment ?
 
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