MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

[rubaggd]

I removed the lower unit today and replaced the impeller. I put the shifter in forward prior. I also took the stern drive off to replace the water pump hose. So we removed the hinge pins. Then we were able to pull the housing back just a little and we were able to replace the hose without even having to remove the bellows. Luckily my bellows all look good, not worn and no holes.

Now the upper drive is back on. As we were putting the lower unit on, we would spin the prop counter clockwise and get the shift gear into drive.

What kept happening was that when we got the drive up and still had the prop in forward, as soon as we relieved the pressure from keeping it in gear, it kept coming out of gear. Every darn time. We messed with this for an hour and a half. The shifter under the upper unit was checked in forward, neutral and reverse. It was working fine.

It seems like the gear in the lower unit only turned not more than an 8th of an inchm or less. Is that normal? I dont know what to do. Is the shift shaft tube stripped possibly (if u spin the shift shaft tube and its in gear the prob will turn)?

I used the mercruiser book and it really didnt help with trouble shooting that one.

The drive worked perfectly prior to this.

Please help!!!!

 

[achris]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

I find it easier to assembly the upper and lower boxes together before fitting the drive back on the bell housing. (can pressure and vac test them easier too.)

However, if you already have the upper on the bell housing, no matter. Make sure the control lever is in forward gear. Check that the 'shoe' on the end of the upper shift shaft (the one in the bell housing that pokes down and engages with the top of the intermediate shift shaft) is facing straight forward. Then, while turning the prop shaft CCW, turn the lower shift shaft CW to ensure the lower is in forward. Without turning the prop shaft push the lower into the upper, ensuring the water tube engages the water pump and the drive shaft engages the upper drive shaft. If the splines don't line up, turn the prop shaft CCW until it slips in. Bolt it up, fill with oil.... Job done...

Chris......

 

[rubaggd]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Thanks achris, Im new to this boat thing. I was told that my drive was a MR drive (79 SRV220 228 Mercruiser I/O) from the marine shop when I was getting the impeller and the gaskets.

Yes everything is forward. So I need to hold the propeller as I slide the shift shaft into the shift gear in the lower unit? So I would assume that if the prop moves just the slightest that the unit will come out of gear if I am not in the shift shaft and in the "shoe"? I finally gave up today and put the lower unit in the garage to deal with it another time.

This is a stupid question....... But as I turn the propeller CCW, I would assume I am looking straight at it and when I turn the shift shaft CW, is my point of view still from looking at the propeller (Stern to bow)?

Heck, I thought removing the stern drive to replace the hose was gonna be a pain lol.

Another question....The trim tab allen head inside the upper unit was stripped and the only way to get this off was the use a bit and drill the head off so the trim tab could be removed. Do the new trim tabs come with a new allen head bolt?

 

[achris]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Thanks achris, Im new to this boat thing. I was told that my drive was a MR drive (79 SRV220 228 Mercruiser I/O) from the marine shop when I was getting the impeller and the gaskets.

1979 is an MC-1, not MR. Virtual the same anyway... (until you get inside them)...

Yes everything is forward. So I need to hold the propeller as I slide the shift shaft into the shift gear in the lower unit? So I would assume that if the prop moves just the slightest that the unit will come out of gear if I am not in the shift shaft and in the "shoe"? I finally gave up today and put the lower unit in the garage to deal with it another time.

Hold the prop with pressure in the 'reverse' direction... If that makes sense...

This is a stupid question....... But as I turn the propeller CCW, I would assume I am looking straight at it

Yes, veiwed from behind. Turn the prop as if it was going in reverse.

and when I turn the shift shaft CW, is my point of view still from looking at the propeller (Stern to bow)?

No, this one you look at from above...

Heck, I thought removing the stern drive to replace the hose was gonna be a pain lol.

Another question....The trim tab allen head inside the upper unit was stripped and the only way to get this off was the use a bit and drill the head off so the trim tab could be removed. Do the new trim tabs come with a new allen head bolt?

Bolt for the trim tab must be ordered separately... Part # 10-32470

Cheers,

Chris.......

 

[rubaggd]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Ok thanks a bunch achris!!!

What do you think about the shift gear barely turning to get into F, N or R? I take it this is normal? Also, unless you hold the prop firmly and don't move it, it should work?

So I need to go ahead and pretty much get the drive shaft lined up into the upper housing, and the shift shaft on the shift gear and as soon as I get in gear slide upwards and we are good to go. The propeller is probably whats causing the shift gear to keep knocking out of gear.

Is this a common problem with people by chance? And thanks for your help

 

[achris]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Ok thanks a bunch achris!!!

My pleasure....

What do you think about the shift gear barely turning to get into F, N or R? I take it this is normal?

There should only be about 30 degrees of movement for each gear (60 degrees total from reverse to forward).

Also, unless you hold the prop firmly and don't move it, it should work?

Keep a little bit of pressure on the prop in the reverse direction (CCW).

So I need to go ahead and pretty much get the drive shaft lined up into the upper housing, and the shift shaft on the shift gear and as soon as I get in gear slide upwards and we are good to go. The propeller is probably whats causing the shift gear to keep knocking out of gear.

Is this a common problem with people by chance? And thanks for your help

Common problem? Not really sure... I rarely have a problem... But I probably have an advantage in that I know what's happening inside the housing.

Chris..........

 

[sparky71]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

surprised no one has mentioned this,try using a bungee once you have it in forward.This will help hold the prop so it doesn't slip out of gear.I learned that here and it has worked every time.

 

[ziggy]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

surprised no one has mentioned this,try using a bungee once you have it in forward.This will help hold the prop so it doesn't slip out of gear.I learned that here and it has worked every time.

not only that. the mercruiser s/m even states to use the bungee to load the prop into fwd. can't remember which s/m but think it was #6. but it is in there as a proper way to do the deed.. works very well too..

 

[rubaggd]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Thanks everyone!!!!

Would it be helpful if I raised the outdrive some instead if it being just about all the way down?

 

[achris]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Thanks everyone!!!!

Would it be helpful if I raised the outdrive some instead if it being just about all the way down?

Trim it all the way up... Gravity will also help to keep the sliding clutch (internal) in forward gear....

Chris.......

 

[Bondo]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Would it be helpful if I raised the outdrive some instead if it being just about all the way down?

Ayuh,.. Whatevers Easier for ya,...

The Bungee strap holding pressure on the prop is the Key to it all...

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Like your boat !!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

You didn't ask, but I will say it anyway.... a common first time mistake is to leave out the washer pictured below. If you do, it will not shift when you get everything together. Just a "heads up."

 

[rubaggd]

Re: MR drive cant get in gear in lower housing

Fishermark, thanks for the heads up. I know the softer rubbery washer is there but the regular washer isnt on there. It might have come out, I had turned the lower unit over to get some old crud out and I bet it fell off. Ill go look for it. If I cant find it, what size washer will I need?

Blk-n-Blu, I like your boat also!!! What kind is it? LOL

achris, I will trim it all the way up. Thanks for all of your assistance with this.

Bond-o- Thanks. Your always there with some input when I have questions......