Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging

[Pendlm]

I have a Mercruiser 1982 MCM 228 (Stern Drive SN 5924438). I just replaced the U-joint and shift cable bellows myself. I had a local marina replace a seal in the upper gear housing because I was getting some lube into the bellows. I also had the marina replace the water pump and impeller.

When reinstalling the drive everything went together great, but the shift shaft couplers are not fully engaged. The stern drive shift shaft coupling is not fully engaged in the slotted carrier that is part of the bell housing shift shaft. See attached pic.

Any thoughts/help on correcting this? Was something done with the stern drive shift coupling when the water pump was replaced? Did I do something stupid? Thanks for any help!

Mike

 

[ziggy]

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging

did you put the washer on the lower shift shaft prior to reassembling the upper and lower?


item 50 in the drawing....

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...bnbr=80&bdesc=GEAR+HOUSING+ASSEMBLY,+COMPLETE

 

[Pendlm]

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging

did you put the washer on the lower shift shaft prior to reassembling the upper and lower?

I can't say because I had the water pump installed by a local marina. Perhaps I need to call them and explain the problem?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging

Nothing to explain, that is the problem......
You didn't do anything wrong.....
The drive needs to come back off, the lower & upper separated & the washer re-installed......
They owe you a new gasket set for reinstalling the drive as well....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging

I agree too, missing washer

 

[Pendlm]

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging - RESOLVED

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging - RESOLVED

Thanks, Guys, for the help!

I took my boat back to the Marina and they fixed me up. I was back on the water the next day with my wife and 3 1/2 year old (the little skipper). The attached is the way my shift shaft looks now.

Thanks again,

Mike

 

[JustJason]

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging - RESOLVED

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging - RESOLVED

so what's the deal with the gear lube in that last pic?

 

[Pendlm]

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging - RESOLVED

Re: Shift Shaft Coupler Not Fully Engaging - RESOLVED

so what's the deal with the gear lube in that last pic?

The vent plug is just above to the right in the picture to which you refer. I double-checked the fill status of the stern drive after firing-up the engine and checking the shifting. Looks like I didn't do a real good job of mopping up the little bit of lube that I forced out the vent plug ensuring that my stern drive was topped-off - All in my excitement of posting the successful conclusion of my saga. Good eyes captJason, I hadn't even noticed the lube in the picture.