Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

[86Rinker19ft]

Hello all, I have an Alpha 1 Stern drive on my 1986 Rinker V180 with 3.7 Mercruiser. I recently pulled the engine to replace the coupler and then align the engine. When I pulled the STern Drive I forgot to put it in Forward gear. It came off easily but I was wondering if there is gonna be any problems with me doing it this way? Also, is there a special bearing grease that is used to lubricate the splines on the coupler prior to re-installing the stern drive or will regular wheel bearing grease do? Thanks in advance!

 

[JEC]

Re: Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

I gather the outdrive is still off the boat. Surprised it came off easily.

Probably want to look at the shift cable (outer sheath and core) for any damage, and the shift shafts for any bends when the drive is off the boat.

Don't know about regular wheel bearing grease on splines.

JEC

 

[cr2k]

Re: Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

Use spline grease or something that is real sticky. I have used Red Tacky it is also a PTFE grease and works fine.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

I did that once........removed the drive while it was in neutral.
Check the shift "foot" to see if it's bent.
hopefully you'll be lucky like me..........I didn't have any problems.

 

[86Rinker19ft]

Re: Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

It doesnt appear to be bent at all, I just thought I would have to put my finger up into the out drive to push something back? I guess I don't understand why it has to be in forward to remove? Is the cable pushing on something inside the out drive? and as far as grease goes on the coupler splines, I really have to go buy some special grease from the marina? I cant just use wheel bearing grease? Again, if there is an explanation as to why I have to use a "Special" grease, I would like to know so I learn something. Just doesn't make sense to me why I cant use regular wheel bearing grease. Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[86Rinker19ft]

Re: Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

Also, do i need to put the shifter in the forward position to re-install the out drive? and if so is there anything in the out drive that needs to be pushed on since the cable wasnt in the forward position when the out drive was removed? Or simply re-install the out drive exactly as I took it off?

 

[JEC]

Re: Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

Suggest and OEM manual for your setup. This will show you the shift linkage layout and how the parts interconnect. It will also give you the adjustment procedure for the shift cables. Manual is real inexpensive compared to price of repairing damage caused by an incorrect procedure.

Once you see all this diagrammed or when you look at the shift setup with the drive off you will see why you NEED to have the shifter in forward and the drive in forward (assuming you have standard prop rotation) for either a removal or reinstall of the outdrive.

Spline grease is pretty inexpensive. The OEM manual may specify alternatives but I have not reviewed mine for that.

JEC

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

Also, do i need to put the shifter in the forward position to re-install the out drive? and if so is there anything in the out drive that needs to be pushed on since the cable wasnt in the forward position when the out drive was removed? Or simply re-install the out drive exactly as I took it off?

Absolutely! The cable has nothing to do with it. The two parts that you are concerned with are the upper and intermediate shift shafts. When you remove the oudrive the top of the i ss slides out of the coupler on the bottom of the upper ss. Take a look under your bellhousing and you will see the u ss coupler. Npw take a look at the shaft coming out of the driveshaft housing. When you shift into forward the u ss is pointed straight ahead, when you shift into N or R it rotates CCW. Same for the i ss, it rotates CW to put it in F, CCW for N and R. As you can see unless both the upper and intermediate are pointed straight ahead the i ss can not slide into the u ss. when you put the outdrive back on, shift to WOT forward, turn the i ss all the way CW, turn the prop CCW till it locks and bungee it in place. With both shafts point in the same direction it should slide together just fine. If either is not in F it can not go together correctly.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Removed Alpha 1 Stern Drive without shifting into forward.

There are 3 quicksilver greases: 2-4-C seems to be a general purpose grease (gimbal ring etc.), Gimbal bearing and U-joint grease for the (surprise) gimbal bearing and U-joints and Coupler spline grease that is said to be formulated to prevent corrosion in saltwater, which could be important next time you go to remove the outdrive. A tube of each in its own grease gun should last about 20 years, not a bad investment.