1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

[nola mike]

2 hours trying to get my alpha 1 drive back on. Won't go on the final 1/2"-1"--maybe 1 thread on the studs pokes through. I think the alignment is ok; the tool goes into the coupler and spins the gimbel bearing smoothly. The shift mechanism doesn't seem to be the issue either, though that seems the likely culprit. The splines engage the coupler and slide smoothly until the last bit. I've tried taking off/putting it on a few times, and it gets stuck at the same place every time. What am I missing?

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

I've seen some people put way to much grease on the shaft and in the coupler and it causes an air lock, check that! Make sure your shift lever is in forward and the shift shoe accepts the shift shaft.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

Also someone recently had grease congealed/hardened in the splines and had to dig them out to get the last little bit.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

Is the drive in gear and the throttle opened/in gear? Sounds like the shift fork is not engaging properly in the slot on the drive.

 

[boyoboy]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

2 hours trying to get my alpha 1 drive back on. Won't go on the final 1/2"-1"--maybe 1 thread on the studs pokes through. I think the alignment is ok; the tool goes into the coupler and spins the gimbel bearing smoothly. The shift mechanism doesn't seem to be the issue either, though that seems the likely culprit. The splines engage the coupler and slide smoothly until the last bit. I've tried taking off/putting it on a few times, and it gets stuck at the same place every time. What am I missing?

had exact problem yesterday on my son's alpha 1. he had installed new o ring on drive shaft (came with shift kit) and it was the wrong one (too large)fought with it all day - couldn't get the last half inch till someone noticed it. we put proper o rings on and shaft slid in like silk!

 

[nola mike]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

Ya know, the grease marks stop right at that first o-ring. I thought of that yesterday, but didn't really think that the o-ring would be the cause. I'll try to install without it and see...

 

[achris]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

Ya know, the grease marks stop right at that first o-ring. I thought of that yesterday, but didn't really think that the o-ring would be the cause. I'll try to install without it and see...

You need the 'O' rings on. They stop the yoke from touching the bearing and making a terrible racket down there... Most useful thing I use in that case is a size 11 boot...

Chris....

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

Most useful thing I use in that case is a size 11 boot...

Ayuh,... Gotta Agree,...
If the shift shoe is aligned with the shift foot,+ everything is Held in forward,...
Sometimes it takes a Good Solid Mule-kick to seat it...

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

Just put my outdrive on yesterday........thought I would add my observations.....

1) make sure the outdrive and shift lever are in fwd.
2) sometimes the drive will hit the trim cylinders........they may need to be in position instead of hanging down infront of the drive.
3) add a little grease on the o-rings
4)if you only have a 1/2" to go the splines should be lined up

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

Yes sir the good ol size 11 drive installer tool,Part#7634446987875

 

[nola mike]

Re: 1/2" to go--can't get drive back on

Well, it was indeed the o-rings. Drive slid right on without them. Usually when I use size 10.5 boot (p/n superceeded by 3# BFH), things end up worse then before. I needed to know what was stopping it before I started whacking things. Since I ruined that big pilot seal yesterday, now I need a new kit anyway, and it's sunday. Looks like it will be another couple of weeks to get on the water...sigh.