1988 Force 125 Lower Unit removal

[flywoman]

Can anyone walk me through the lower unit removal on a 1988 Force 125? I have taken apart a Merc 9.9, but that was a few years ago.<br />Thanks.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: 1988 Force 125 Lower Unit removal

Sure, here it is: <br /><br />Gear Housing Removal.<br /><br />Disconnect spark plug leads to prevent accidental starting of motor.<br /><br />1. Remove propeller assembly. <br />2. Disconnect gear shift rods by removing shift <br /> rod pin from shift rod coupler and free <br /> lower shift rod from coupler. <br />3. NOTE: Mark position of exhaust snout prior to <br /> removal: It's position on gear case affects <br /> steering pull of motor. Remove Exhaust Snout.<br />4. Remove hidden bolt inside engine where <br /> exhaust snout mounts.<br />5. Remove remaining fasteners and remove gear <br /> housing.<br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[flywoman]

Re: 1988 Force 125 Lower Unit removal

Thanks for the help. I got it off without a hitch nd got the impeller replaced. I carefully tried to put it pack in place by myself but found I needed a second pair of hands. Any tips for getting it back on?

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: 1988 Force 125 Lower Unit removal

Hi, you got it, with 2 people it goes much easier, no special tips, you may have to adjust the gear shift rod, if so here's what the manual says, hope it helps.<br /><br />Gear Shift Adjustment.<br /><br />1. Shift engine into forward gear (lower shift rod pushed down as far as it will go).<br /><br />2. Make a pencil mark on the shift rod at the "shelf" of the motor leg. Figure 40.<br /><br />Figure 40. Place In Forward Gear.<br /><br />3. Shift engine into reverse gear (lower shift rod pushed up as far as itwill go).<br /><br />4. Make a pencil mark on the shift rod at the "shelf" of the motor leg. Figure 41.<br /><br />Figure 41. Place in Reverse Gear.<br /><br />5. Make a pencil mark centered between the forward and reverse pencil marks. This point <br />represents mechanical neutral.<br /><br />Figure 42. Center Lower Shift Rod.<br /><br />6. Place shift rod so that middle mark is even with "shelf". The interlock lever attached to <br />upper shift rod should be aligned with the lower towershaft arm. Figure 42 and 43.<br /><br />Figure 43. Adjust Shift.<br /><br />7. If top and bottom edges of arms are not aligned, move two (2) locknuts up or down on <br />upper shift rod to adjust.<br /><br />8. Adjust neutral interlock switch cam on gear shift lever so that button on switch is <br />depressed when engine is in neutral.

 

[flywoman]

Re: 1988 Force 125 Lower Unit removal

You were right. I did need that second pair of hands and now that I have it in place I do need some gear adjustment. The manual instructions might help me there, but I will have to look. Some of the things I cannot visualize. What manual are you looking at?<br /><br />Thanks for the help. I may be back if I have trouble with the gears...

 

[flywoman]

Re: 1988 Force 125 Lower Unit removal

OK. Here is where i am at. The LU is back on and the new impeller is working fine. BUT, I am constantly in forward gear. I didn't take the LU apart, only took it off to get to the impeller. Now, back together whin I start it the prop is turning. The shift rod is hooked back up and moves up and down when I move from F to N to R, but the propeller always turns forward, no matter what position it is in.<br /><br />I am guessing that this can be adjusted using the shift rod, but I am at a loss. I have the Seloc manual which (to my knowledge) doesn't talk about the adjustment.<br /><br />...make the pencil marks...which I did...<br />6. Place shift rod so that middle mark is even with "shelf". The interlock lever attached to <br />upper shift rod should be aligned with the lower towershaft arm. Figure 42 and 43.<br /><br />I AM GUESSING THE INTERLOCK LEVER IS THE CYLINDRICAL METAL PIECE THAT CONNECTS TO THE TOP OF THE SHIFT ROD WITH A PIN, BUT WHAT IS THE LOWER TOWERSHAFT ARM?<br /><br />Figure 43. Adjust Shift.<br /><br />7. If top and bottom edges of arms are not aligned, move two (2) locknuts up or down on <br />upper shift rod to adjust.<br /><br />WHAT ARE THE ARMS THAT NEED ALIGNING?<br /><br />8. Adjust neutral interlock switch cam on gear shift lever so that button on switch is <br />depressed when engine is in neutral.<br /><br />tHANKS FOR ANY HELP