Alpha 1 clicking noise

[Si Rey]

I just removed the lower drive to replace water pump in my 1989 Alpha 1. The first time I forgot to put the shifter and the prop in forward gear so I took it apart again and set the shifter and the drive. Now the prop turns and in the right direction when shifting. Problem now is when I put the drive into forward or reverse and let off the throttle I hear a clicking or ratcheting noise coming from the drive. I tried to adjust the shift cable to no avail. I never heard this noise before so I think it is related to what I have just done. I'm doing this on the muffs in my back yard. If I put the outdrive into forward gear with the engine off I can turn the prop forward with the clicking noise but it won't turn backwards.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

In the process of taking it apart and maybe putting it back together while in neutral, you may have bent the shift shafts in the drive. Pull it off and look, especially the one in the lower unit.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

The noise you are hearing is the freewheeling of the prop. when you let off the throttle the drive is slowing down faster than the prop shaft. Think of it like the clicking you hear when you quit pedaling a mountian bike.
It's why you arent supposed to rev your motor in gear when it's not in the water.
If it only makes that noise when the engine is reved in gear, your dirve is fine. It doesn't happen when the boat is in the water because the water slows the prop just as fast as the engine slows.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

the criteria to be met while on the trailer.

fwd. the prop will lock ccw and ratchet cw

neutral the prop free wheels w/o sound or feel

rev the prop will lock cw and ratchet ccw.

Problem now is when I put the drive into forward or reverse and let off the throttle I hear a clicking or ratcheting noise coming from the drive. I tried to adjust the shift cable to no avail. I never heard this noise before so I think it is related to what I have just done. I'm doing this on the muffs in my back yard

i've never tied that before short of seeing if fwd and rev. engage @ idle.

but hbm i'd think is on to it. it's the fact that the engine is slowing down faster than the prop. like i said, never tried that on land, but if ya take it to the lake, get up to speed and turn off the engine while in fwd, the prop will ratchet. (likely not to good for it, just a wag)

look at the blow up pic in the service manual of the lower. specifically the clutch dog and how it slides back and forth either engaging fwd, rev. or half way in between which is neutral. the clutch dog and the fwd and rev. gear are undercut gears, so they lock together when loaded, the slide up the ramp of the gear tooth and fall off when turned the wrong way (the ratcheting sound).

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

I should add to my post, when the shift shaft is bent, it will also throw the adjustment out. Which means neutral is a little off of where it should be.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

The first time I forgot to put the shifter and the prop in forward gear so I took it apart again and set the shifter and the drive.

hum, i kinda read right past that, . for sure, make sure nothing is bent or twisted. the prop needs to meet the criteria on the trailer. if ya end up replacing them, get the oem parts. i tried aftermarket parts and they gave me a bad case of the blues cause they didn't fit and operate proper. specifically, the shift shaft in the upper..

 

[Si Rey]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

What Don says makes sense. I need to check out the shift shaft. Also it makes sense that the shift cable will be out of adjustment. Keeping in mind I never had this noise prior to me removing the lower end. I have done the water pickup before without incident. Now the question...... looking through my Alpha 1 service manual I havent found anything on the lower end for dissassembly of the lower unit let alone replacement of the shift shaft. Is there a link to the info I seek?

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

looking through my Alpha 1 service manual

Since I can't see your manual, which one do you have. Sure hope it doesn't say Clymer or Seloc on it. If it does, go to the link below, and look around.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430

 

[Si Rey]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

I have the service manual #6 MR Alpha 1 outdrives 1983-1990 as posted on the website, I downloaded it last year.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

looking through my Alpha 1 service manual I havent found anything on the lower end for dissassembly of the lower unit let alone replacement of the shift shaft.

section 3B covers the lower. shift cable adj. is on pp 2A-18. pretty much, put it in fwd and set barrels 6'' apart, center to center. upper shift shaft is mentioned in sec. 4A-8.

 

[Si Rey]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

Thank you Ziggy for your help!!!!!!!!!
The manual I downloaded last year did NOT have section 3B included. I just downloaded it and viola, it shows the lower end section. It also addresses the shift shaft, which appears to be an easy replacement. I was afraid of pulling the prop shaft but appers that isn't nec. I'll pull shaft and do nec repairs/replacement and report back on my findings.

 

[Si Rey]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

Or is it possible to R/R the shift shaft without dissassembling the whole lower drive? My concern is re-aligning with the shift crank.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

Or is it possible to R/R the shift shaft without dissassembling the whole lower drive? My concern is re-aligning with the shift crank.

sounds like your thinking that you wanna replace the shift shaft in the lower. i don't think that's the one the gets twisted or bent via removing or replacing the drive while it's not in fwd. it's the shift shaft in the bell housing or the shift shaft in the upper that would be stressed.

if it were me. i'd test it in pieces.
with the lower removed. test if the prop meets the criteria above. ya can use a small socket on the shift shaft in the lower to shift it on the bench. one was is fwd, the other is rev. half way in between is neutral. if that works, put the upper and lower together, test again. when in fwd. the shift shaft coupler in the upper has to be pointing straight fwd. test it again to be sure it meets the criteria.
not real sure of the test for the shift shaft in the bell housing. but when in fwd. the shift shaft coupler between the bell housing and upper must again be facing straight fwd. the reason for it facing fwd is so that you can slide the drive onto the bell housing. the coupler slides together. hence, everything must be facing fwd. or it won't go together or come apart w/o it being in that condition. unless your force it, and that's when parts get best or twisted..
this is a 1 drive in neutral.

yours will look similar. you can see that with this coupler turned as it is, you can't slide the two parts apart or put them together. unless your force them and that's when damage is done to one part or the other.. while i'm not the pro. i'm under the impression that it's the shift shaft in the bell housing that gets damaged, usually.. least that's the way i get it...

 

[Si Rey]

Re: Alpha 1 clicking noise

Well here's what the problem is The clicking noise is from the clutch dog teeth being rounded off. So I replaced the lower end as well as the upper end with a Sterndrive Engineering outdrive. It was so much cheaper than a rebuild or a Mercruiser reman and comes with a 3 year no fault warranty for $1200. I replaced the gimball bearing which was also bad. Any tips on installing the new drive boot? My gosh that thing is terrible to work with and the adhesive doesn't have much work time.