'98 90hp force grinding in forward gear

[A.Hoj]

Hi everyone, I'm new on this board so bear with me as I learn my way around. I have a '98 90 hp force that makes some unusuall grinding noises in forward gear at idle only. once I push the throttle up a few RPMs it smooths out and runs normal. once i pull it back to idle and the boat slows down the grinding noise comes back. its like there is something slipping in the lower end, but only at idle. I ran this boat all last summer like this and never had any problems, except the noise is always there when I'm idling around. my guess is that the shift linkage is off, but it looks like its moving properly. Any ideas?

 

[jason32038]

Re: '98 90hp force grinding in forward gear

Sounds like the linkage is off.

 

[rtcoop]

Re: '98 90hp force grinding in forward gear

My 1999 force 120 does the same thing. Is it something that is easily fixed?

 

[A.Hoj]

Re: '98 90hp force grinding in forward gear

The outboad shop that I deal with told me that it's probably not the lower unit or gears if it goes away with higher RPMs. I dropped off my prop to get reconditioned and the guy said it could be out of balance and causing the vibration that I'm hearing.