looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

[jwilkey84]

I am trying to work on a electric shift LU for a buddy. He says it was clunking when it ran and it would shake the whole transom. I suspect the clutch dog, but after I looked in there, to doesnt seem that bad. Is there other things that can be going on in this type of LU that would cause clunking? The LU also leaks water, which I plan on fixing as well. Can water intnrusion cause the shift mechanism to not work right to? We know it leaks, but with frest oil in it, it still clunked from the minute it hit the water. So even if it does leak, I wouldn't think that just a tiny bit of water would make something malfunction. I just hate to put a new clutch dog in and put everything back together, just to find out that we didn't solve anything. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated........and I suppose it could be the clutch dog, but I wanted to check into other things as well before I put it together.

 

[Daviet]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

There are different types of electric shift lower units, what's the model number?
Yes water will cause problems in the shifting of the lower unit.
Do you have the proper oil in the lower unit, type"C"?

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

the model is 60esl71e, and yes it has the correct oil..... I think it must be the clutch dog causing the problems because, when there are electrical problems with this motor, the LU should automatically default to forward gear. And since these problems are happening in forward gear, it makes me think that the problem isn't electrical, but mechanical (worn clutch dog ears). What do you think?

 

[jimmbo]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

That is a Hydro-electric gearcase, it uses electricity to control two soliniods that control the routing of fluid to actuate the shift mechanism. The unit will default to forward when there is no oil pressure, either due to electrical failure or oil pump failure. The water leak does not help. Since you say fresh oil doesn't solve the issue you are gonna to have to pull it apart. Get a good manual.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

I have it apart, I have the back gear out, the clutch dog exposed. If I take the vertical shaft out, what do I look for in the front of the LU that may be an indication of problems? I was wondering if I even need to look there, or if a new clutch dog, and new oil, and seals will fix everything.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

The propshaft should just slide out now, just watch for pieces falling out of it as it clears the pump housing and forward gear. You will need to remove the pinion gear to remove the forward gear. If the clutch dog is worn the odds the the forward gear is also worn and all three gears need replacing as they are matched sets I believe. While you are in there check all the bearings and replace if needed. There is a filter on the oil pump(it's located in front of the forward gear) that you can clean.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

yeah I have the prop shaft slid out, I will take out the drive shaft to remove the forward gear to clean the filter........So I guess my next question is, if I put new gears and clutch dog in, and it still jumps out of gear, then what do I do?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

I did not see where there were any electrical checks made to see if there was a problem with the switch or wiring. If it stays in forward with the shift wires disconnected, then the problem is electrical. If the problem is still there with the wires disconnected, then it is probably mechanical

 

[jimmbo]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

Look carefully at ther clutch dog and the forward gear. see the how the dog and thd gear make contact. are the contact points nice and sharp? or do they have the tiniest rounding to them?

 

[F_R]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

A worn clutch dog and forward gear are a possibility, but actually fairly rare on the Hydro-Electrics. I would suspect the dog is not fully engaging the gear. That would be caused by dirt and grit in the oil pump bore where the piston slides in and out to move the dog. Whatever, the whole thing needs to come apart for cleaning and inspection. The piston/pump area are the usual failure points, and the problem comes from lack of maintenance. The oil MUST be kept clean and uncontaminated. That means regular scheduled oil changes. Once grit gets in the pump bore, it is too late. BTW, I'm speaking of very fine grit---so fine it gets past/through the filter screen.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

Ok, I'll take it all apart and do a thorough cleaning. And yes, the clutch dog has some slight wear on it, but not too much on the gears themselves. I was really hoping that it wasnt the clutch dog, because that and gears are pricy....so I'll clean it and put new seals in and new impeller and see what happens. BTW can someone tell me if the sierra kit 18-2690 will contain everyting I will need to seal up the LU?

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

I did look at the clutch dog and the gears, and yes there is some wear on them. The corners arent perfectly square and sharp, but how much wear does it actully take to make this problem? You're gonna laugh, but one time before on a 35 hp johnson, I took a die grinder and squared up the edges and put the gears back in and called it good! Anyone else ever done this? My only question is, if you dont grind the exact same amount on both contact points of the gears, the clutch dog won't be engaging the gear equally on both "ears" if you know what I am talking about, can that be bad for the LU? Keep in mind that this is a fishing boat that prly wont get used much.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: looking for info on johnson electric shift LU

I've heard of others doing the grind thing. If the contact areas had been hardened, squaring up the edges will remove what was left, not that it matters because when it wears again you have to take the unit apart again, just much sooner. As for wondering how much wear it takes to cause the slipping? Well you are looking at parts were slipping so that should answer your question.