Getting the driveshaft back into the leg

[Putzaroni1]

I did a bunch of searching last night and could not find anything explaining this. If I'm looking in the wrong places I apologize but here is my situation.

I was pulling the impeller off my 1983 Johnson 9.9 2 stroke motor and when I did the drive shaft lifted up about 2 or 3 inches. I have the new impeller and am ready to install it but tried to get the driveshaft back into the lower unit and it doesn't seem to be engaging with the lower unit. If I remember correctly it should lock in so that when you turn the lower unit the drive shaft moves as well.

What am I missing ? I've tried turning the prop shaft slightly and dropping it in but no matter how I do it, no go.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance !

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Getting the driveshaft back into the leg

The driveshaft removal/install procedure is a simple slide out, slide in operation. I can think of nothing that would prevent you from sliding it all the way down to have the splines engage the pinion gear.

I assume you are turning the driveshaft to line up the shaft splines with the pinion gear splines?

 

[boobie]

Re: Getting the driveshaft back into the leg

Drop it in gear and rotate the prop shaft once and at the same time try putting the drive shaft in.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Getting the driveshaft back into the leg

If you continue to have a problem, lay the driveshaft on a flat surface and roll it to see if it may be bent.

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: Getting the driveshaft back into the leg

Thanks to you all for your suggestions.
I read through them late last night and saw Boobie's suggestion to put it in gear. When I figured out what direction putting it into forward gear was on the shift shaft, I pushed it down, lowered the drive shaft, turned the prop shaft slowly and it went into place. It doesn't feel like it's locked in there but it is in enough to allow me to try putting the impeller back on and see how it works.
I love this forum !
Thanks guys. I'll try to come up with something more difficult next time ;-)