Just replaced bellows and impeller...now stuck in forward

M

mercmafia

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Jun 21, 2010
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I am kinda stuck...I replaced the bellows on my alpha one and the impeller. Now after the fight with the bellows, when i put the outdrive back on, its stuck in forward. And looking at the boot on the shift shaft, it looks if it were to shift into reverse it is backwards? Meaning theres reciever on the transom is pointing the opposite of what the outdrive does in reverse. I would greatly appreciate advice so I can get this bear back in.
 
M

mercmafia

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Re: Just replaced bellows and impeller...now stuck in forward

I for got to add when I try to shift it, it is hard shifting into nuetral and the outdrive is still in forward and the reverse is very tight
 
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Jerico

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Re: Just replaced bellows and impeller...now stuck in forward

Before anyone else asks, year? gen 1/gen II?

From your description did you split the lower unit to replace the impeller? If so you have to make sure the shift link is lined up right when you put it back together or it will do what you describe (been there, done that). If you don't have the manual look in the **Adult** sticky at the top of this forum for the correct manual. It will walk you through how to make sure it's lined up right. Also I presume you had the shifter in forward when you put the drive back on.

I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in too...
 
Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1

Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1

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Re: Just replaced bellows and impeller...now stuck in forward

The manuals are gone from the Sticky. Did you have the shifter in forward when you pulled the drive off? Did you have the lower in forward when you reassembled the halves. You need to manually move the shift shaft on the lower to forward and hold it there while you reassemble the halves together.

Forward is clockwise on the splined lower shift shaft, while turning the prop CCW until it locks. You have to hold pressure on the prop to keep it in forward either with your hand or a bungee cord. If it gets bumped out of forward you have to separate the haves and do it again. Forward on the upper shaft is straight fore and aft.
 
M

mercmafia

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Re: Just replaced bellows and impeller...now stuck in forward

The year is a 89 alpha Gen 1.

Ok so now I seperated the drive and after a hell of a time getting it all lined up in forward, everytime I start tightening it down it slides right back into neutral. If I push the coupling in the back with a screwdriver it will lock back in but only with that pressure there.

Ideas?

Thanks
 
M

mercmafia

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Messages
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Re: Just replaced bellows and impeller...now stuck in forward

Also the shift cable only has about 3 inches of pay in it what can be the cause?
 
S

stonyloam

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Mar 13, 2009
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Re: Just replaced bellows and impeller...now stuck in forward

Alpha 1 gen 1. OK Control handle in forward, and jammed. Symptoms of the intermediate shaft being "off a spline". In other words. the control handle was in forward, but the gearcase was in reverse or neutral when you put the intermediate shaft on the splined lower shift shaft (pointing straight ahead, looked to be in F). What happens is when you shift from F to N to R you rotate the shift shaft in a CCW direction. If the gearcase was not in forward it means that the shift shaft was already rotated CCW and when you try to shift out of F it tries to rotate farther CCW and will not go. Try to rotate the prop CCW, does it lock, if not you are not in F at the gearcase. So to fix it: split the case to expose the lower splined ss, rotate it all the way CW. Turn the prop CCW, it should lock. Put on a bungee to hold it in place. Slip the intermediate ss back onto the lower pointing straight ahead. Make sure the control handle is WOT Forward. Put er back together.
 
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