Normal amount of play on an LU

[mrix]

Hello all,

if you've seen my other thread you will know that i just bought a replacement LU for my force 85.

I recieved the unit today, it looks very nice, i am worried about the amount of play i have on the output shaft.

Since i've been through one of these i know that those gears _should_ be very close.

I can rock the prop-shaft 2 complete splines before it contacts the gears in FWD and REV. The propshaft only has 15 splines on it so this means i have 48 degrees of play!

is this normal or do i have another unshimmed timebomb on my hands?

im wondering if i shouldn't tear it down and check it. I spend 300 bucks on this and i dont want to blow up another one.

if anyone could tell me if this is normal it might save me the work.

Thanks
-Mark

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Normal amount of play on an LU

There is a certain amount of clearance between the drive dogs so they will engage smoothly. So: while in either gear, you will be able to rock the prop back and forth a significant amount before the drive dogs on the gear and dog clutch contact each other. (I never actually measured it so I'll take your word that it is 48 degrees) Normal! Also, the trailing edge of the dogs are tapered, again for easier meshing, so if you gently work the shift rod so as to not fully engage, while turning the prop, you will be able to feel them slide over each other and actually push the shift rod.
The only clearance you need to worry about is the end float of the prop shaft. Specifications call for .010 float--1/100 of an inch (amount of distance the shaft can move in and out.) If you do not have a dial indicator, just grab the prop and push it in then pull it out. You should be able to feel the movement but it should be way less than 1/32 of an inch. Only time to worry is if it moves a lot--say 1/16 inch. Then, someone has left out a shim.

 

[mrix]

Re: Normal amount of play on an LU

Okay thanks for the tip - i didn't think about checking the shafts for in/out play.

hopefully it checks out and i'll be on the water tomorrow!

 

[pujols5]

Re: Normal amount of play on an LU

hey i got a 94 spectrum dominator 40 hp force is the water suppose to come out the exhaust cause someone told this perticular model the water shoots out the exhaust down by the prop let me know what you think i also have a n alarm on the boat if it overheats but never comes on and motor running fine thanks