Lower Unit Problems

[kart33]

Saturday my son and I were out in the bay cruising<br />back towards the ramp after a good fishing outing when all of a sudden the lower gear let loose in my 1985 90HP Evinrude. No forward or reverse gear. Power head still running fine shifter still connected something broke in the lower unit. Sea Tow to the ramp, get home,remove lower unit, I get a clicking when I turn the propeller in gear no noise when not in gear. Any thoughts? What year lower units are interchangable I found some used ones in the Trader but I'm not sure of applicability. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Lugnut36]

Re: Lower Unit Problems

When the motor is in gear and running does the propeller turn at all? Might just want to rule out a spun prop before you disassemble the lower unit. Correct me if im wrong anyone but the lower unit will click in gear if you turn the prop in the opposite direction? But if its a right hand prop and in forward it should click turning left but wont turn when trying to turn it to the right ( I believe ) Also drain lower unit oil and check its condition for metal shavings and water.

 

[dutch135]

Re: Lower Unit Problems

Kart,<br />you said you took the lower unit off? if so, when you turn the shaft does the prop turn? (you would have to manually shift it into forward or reverse gear) You should hear the clicking when it's in gear, and nothing when it is in neutral, but when it is in gear you should be able to turn the shaft which should turn the prop. Any chance the cable that controls the forward/reverse has broken? <br />

 

[kart33]

Re: Lower Unit Problems

Oil looked fine nothing metallic to speak of on the drain magnet. The unit clicks when I manually shift the unit to forward or reverse and turn the propeller the input shaft from the power head does not turn. It acts as if the gear on the shaft from the power head has come off where it meets the forward or reverse gear on the propeller shaft.

 

[Lugnut36]

Re: Lower Unit Problems

turn the driveshaft in a clockwise rotation ( looking down from the top) dont turn the prop shaft, make sure shes in gear. is the prop shaft still not turning ? <br /><br />I got my lower unit from ebay it was in really good shape i was very happy with it for $187.00 shipped maybe you can find something there if indeed theres internal damage.

 

[kart33]

Re: Lower Unit Problems

FYI the indications above ended up being a broken drive shaft. It broke just under the water pump, looks like it had a bad porous spot in the metal that weakened over time. Now I will enjoy removing the drive shaft without anything to hold on to when removing the retaining nut on the pinion. Thanks

 

[almost retired again]

Re: Lower Unit Problems

Hello again Kart33,<br />Pull the driveshaft bearing carrier off along with the thrust washer, bearing, and shims. Weld or have someone weld a metal rod bent at 90 degrees to whats left of the old shaft (it's toast anyway) Now you have something to hold onto while removing the pinnion nut.<br />Good Luck