Prop spins makes clicking noise in the LU ?

Turtlelips

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 14, 2004
Messages
46
1974 50 HP mercury 500 <br /> I changed my prop because it was bent now my LU makes a clicking noise when i hand turn my prop in Forward. Im afraid to leave the dock !
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Prop spins makes clicking noise in the LU ?

try adjusting the shift cable or at least making sure your shifter is in nutral.<br /> good luck and keep posting
 

tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: Prop spins makes clicking noise in the LU ?

You need to pull your lower unit and check that the shift shaft is in the gear that matches your control. Put the control/throttle/shifter in F, drop the lower unit. Turn the shift shaft gently with a pliers until it only turns clockwise. When in N it will freewheel either way very easily. When in R it will only turn counterclockwise with some effort. Get it in F, reinstall the lower unit and check to see that it goes into F, N, R. If not, time to go to the shop. Something may have gotten out of whack if you hit something when you spun the hub.
 

tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: Prop spins makes clicking noise in the LU ?

I'm talking about the prop in the earlier post when I mention IT turning clockwise, freewheeling, or counterclockwise. Good luck.
 

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: Prop spins makes clicking noise in the LU ?

Turtlelips,<br /><br />Your motor is fine!<br /><br />On a Merc, the prop will spin clockwise in forward gear with a ratcheting sound. This is because the gears and clutch are ramped in one direction. This is NORMAL.<br /><br />They did this because Mercs are allowed to tilt in forward gear - the reverse lock is not engaged in forward, allowing the motor to tilt on impact with a log, shoal, etc. They discovered that upon rapid decelleration the motors were tilting out of the water from drag caused by the prop slowing down. Usually if you're decellerating rapidly it's an evasive maneuver to dodge a boat, object, etc. Can't steer if the unit is out of the water, so they made the prop able to spin in forward gear so the motors wouldn't tilt up on their own.... thus ends today's history lesson...<br /><br />Oh yeah, if the prop also spins COUNTERclockwise in forward gear, you've got a problem...<br /><br />- Scott
 

Turtlelips

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 14, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Prop spins makes clicking noise in the LU ?

Guys thanks for all the valuable knowledge but what I have was 2 different problems 1 a spun hub. So I changed the prop. Also the second thing was my motor was starting in gear the whole time ive had the boat so it was my shift controls I opened it up and found that the gears were broken inside. This was last night my neighbor has a 68 Mercury 100 with the same controls so he let me take them off his wreck and I greased them up and put them back in properly and wouldnt you know that was it ! I got parts at 7:30 PM on A Sunday evening coulndt beat that fellas ! Happy Fishing
 

Turtlelips

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 14, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Prop spins makes clicking noise in the LU ?

Guys thanks for all the valuable knowledge but what I have was 2 different problems 1 a spun hub. So I changed the prop. Also the second thing was my motor was starting in gear the whole time ive had the boat so it was my shift controls I opened it up and found that the gears were broken inside. This was last night my neighbor has a 68 Mercury 100 with the same controls so he let me take them off his wreck and I greased them up and put them back in properly and wouldnt you know that was it ! I got parts at 7:30 PM on A Sunday evening coulndt beat that fellas ! Happy Fishing
 
Top