is my lower unit shaft snapped?

[dbmstr124]

I just got a boat and in gear or not, you can free hand spin the prop...it won't spin by itself when in gear and running...I pulled the lower unit and the shaft came out with no gear on the end...my third one pulling apart (others are outboards) and it just doesnt' make any sense that this "spring" could be engaged by the drive gear and turn my prop...I'll put some pictures, could you take a look and let me know if you think it snapped and I should try and pull it out from the top part (sorry again for terms) and get a new lower unit...thanks....Not sure what gen it is, serial number on outdrive is 6866382...thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Yes, the end of the shaft (with the splines) is broken off. You can see the broken end in the center picture.

 

[dbmstr124]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Yeah I thought thats what it was...Thank you...I just wanted to make sure before I try and pull it out...There is a large ring/nut around the gimble bearing?...I don't have any way to get that off which I guess would allow me to pull the whole thing out...I am going to take a drill and go through the bottom and try and drill into the hole on the snapped shaft and pull it out that way...ya think?
Thanks again for the quick response...guess its time for a whole new lower unit?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Did this last year.... Buy a lower half (or even whole drive) from SEI. By the time you buy the tools and parts to replace the shaft, you can buy the lower... by the time you pay someone else to do it, you can buy the whole drive. The choice was a no-brainer as far as I was concerned.

 

[dbmstr124]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Thanks...looks like thats what I'll be doing....You're a chief, where are you at? I a second class in the Navy in Goose creek, SC

 

[dbmstr124]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

I was also wondering how I can tell which gen I have? I am going to have to buy a new gasket set and not sure which one to get...Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

WCA is a chief in the iboats forums, have a look at this link.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1833818#post1833818

You have an R/MR/Alpha I, not a Gen II.
I can tell by the pictures.
Here is also a link to the OEM service manual for your drive.

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

Scroll down to the outline page and click on the section letter you want to download.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

that's funny... I never even thought of it that way...

btw, I did get out as a second class PO about 20 years ago...

 

[dbmstr124]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Yeah it all goes along with the same....What job did you do? I"m a Nuclear Electrician...its a good job.

 

[dbmstr124]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

alright, well after a lot of work I got all the gears out of the upper half of my stern drive...the shaft and gear that the lower foot shaft goes into (where it snapped) has the piece stuck in there and it won't come out...what is this piece called so I can try and get another one...thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

has the piece stuck in there and it won't come out...what is this piece called so I can try and get another one

It's the upper gear set you need if you can't get it out. You would also need all the special tools to install and reshim a new gear set to get the gear heights and backlash correct.
You might take the gear to a machinist and see if he can get it out for you. It would sure save a lot of money.
I would also be wondering WHY it broke. Did a gear break in the lower? Better find out before you spend money on the upper. A new drive may be cheaper option than all the repairs.

 

[dbmstr124]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Yes I am going to just get another outdrive completely...I was told the prop hit some rocks and then it wouldn't spin anymore...so, the lower unit and upper unit is bad so I'm going to get anoter one...Thanks for the help

 

[Bondo]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Yes I am going to just get another outdrive completely...

Ayuh,... What motor do you have with this drive,...
We can tell you which gear ratio you need...

About the Best Deal going on anywhere for the Alpha drives is the aftermarket SEI drives....
I hear it's about $1300. complete,+ a couple year warranty....

You might find used cheaper, but used is a Crap Shoot on what you're actually getting....

 

[dbmstr124]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Its a mercruiser 140HP. Which type of outdrives can I use...I was told I have an alpha 1 Gen 2...Can I use and alpha one off of a v8, or? I'm not sure what my options are...I will probably buy used off of Ebay, but I'm not sure what I"m looking for...When I buy the gasket set and o-rings I need to know more of what I need as well...Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

You have an R/MR/Alpha I, not a Gen II.
I can tell by the pictures.
Here is also a link to the OEM service manual for your drive.

Ayuh,.... You've gotta Read the answers given,....

Your's is the Alpha 1 series,.. The gasket set is interchangable all the way thru the series....

With the 140hp,.. You need the 1.98:1 gear ratio,+ Only that ratio....
The drives for V8s,+ 6s won't work,... At All....

An Alpha 1, Gen.II will Not fit on your boat.... You need the Alpha 1, pre 1991....

 

[dbmstr124]

Re: is my lower unit shaft snapped?

Thank you...I will start looking for it...Thanks again.