Alpha 1 Gen 2 Lower Gear Sound - Problem or not a Problem?

[theblockhead]

I have an Alpha 1 Gen 2 ~2001. I separated the upper and lower to change the water pump impeller. With the water pump removed I happened to turn the drive shaft and noticed a “gear turning sound” sort of a grinding when I turn the driveshaft. It happens in neutral, forward or reverse. If I pull up on the drive shaft and then spin, it is as quiet as can be (as I would think it would be normally). The oil was absolutely green with no water whatsoever and the drain plug magnet had no shavings. My question is… is this normal? I only have the one drive so I really have nothing to compare to. I checked the manual and it seems that the drive shaft height can only be measured by removing the prop bearing carrier. I would hate to go through all of that only to find out that it is normal.

Thanks

 

[Bt Doctur]

Perfectly normal. The gearset forces the driveshaft upward when in gear.

 

[theblockhead]

Thank you so much for your reply. That is a such a relief. Now I can put it all back together and watch football and wait for spring.