shift shaft play mercruiser

[Alumarine]

Hi there. Just wondering how much play should be in the intermediate shift shaft bushing? It feels quite sloppy to me. The area in red has about 1/2" of play there. Darn, just when I though I was finished - no reverse. Thanks<br />

 

[rodbolt]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

there is some play<br /> however in the merc manual is a template to check for excessive play in the shift spool.<br /> if DonS cant post it ill try later. I just dont have the tec mono logical puter skills he has

 

[Alumarine]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

rodbolt, thanks for the reply.<br />I went through my merc manuals but they don't have any specifications for that bushing.<br />But then I went through my collection of pdf's and found the template.<br />Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[Don S]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

There is no bushing in there. The shift shaft sits on a splined shaft in the lower unit. There is nothing to prevent side to side movement.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

Thanks Don, but now I'm really confused. I'm not doubting you, but my manual is now confusing me.<br />In manual C-90-71707 Volume II on page 6A-17 it says.<br />1. Remove intermediate shift shaft retaining cotter pin and washer, then remove shift shaft.<br />2. Drive out shift shaft bushing, if replacement is neccessary.<br /><br />I think I understand what you are saying that it is supported on the bottom by the splined shaft and at the top by the "shoe" on the upper shift shaft.<br />My merc dealer gave me part no. 23-32632 for the bushing but he was guessing.<br />thanks again guys, I'm going to get this sucker going soon (I hope).

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

I bought a shift shaft bushing once - not sure if that was the part #. It didn't fit that bore at all on my drive (same vintage as yours 140). I don't know where it was supposed to go.<br />So I found a piece of copper pipe. I worked the pipe to fit. It took all the slop out. <br />And then, the drive still didn't shift worth a crap.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

Your drive is toast from corrosion....but.. If you have a machine shop near by you could engineer a sleeve that might get you through the season. It would require inside & out side calipers and a lot of luck. It could be done ,and it would be a temporary fix at best.But I think you need a new/re-built drive..J

 

[Alumarine]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

Toasy from corrosion? That's just a bit of paint off the drive. It's going to last another 30 years. It's fresh water.

 

[Don S]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

My mistake, there is a bushing in there on the early models, but as rodbolt mentioned, there is still a bit of play in them, and yours doens't look like there is a problem there, plus I don't see how you have a 1/2" of play. there isn't that big a gap around the shaft? If you are talking about up and down movement, then it's not a problem either. There is a cotter pin and washer inside the housing to prevent it from coming off when the drive is off the boat, but the shift shoe in the bellhousing on the boat will keep it from coming up when it's installed.<br /><br />Regarding the corrosion, No, your drive isn't toast, but some sanding and paint will keep it form getting worse, and it makes it look better too.<br />Black Rustolem paint works fantastic.

 

[Don S]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

Click here and go to page 22. It explains how to check for excess rotation in the shift spool. (What rodbolt mentioned)

 

[Alumarine]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

Thanks for the link Don. I printed the template and will check the rotation angle.<br />When I said 1/2" I was looking at the top of the shift shaft. Of course it's exapgerated by the length from the hole.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

Update. I removed the intermediate shift shaft and while there is a lot of play between the bushing and shaft I think it's designed that way. I think it's just a guide and more of protection for the aluminum housing. When I think about it, it's unlikely that bushing would wear much considering it only comes into play when you shift gears and the upper bushings were perfect.<br />Oh, and reverse now works - bent upper shaft.<br />Off to the lake for it's maiden voyage after 30 year overhaul. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Don S]

Re: shift shaft play mercruiser

Glad to hear you're going boating..... big thumbs up! <br /><br />

Oh, and reverse now works - bent upper shaft.<br />

For anyone reading this thread, trying to forcefully remove or install the drive without having the shifter in FORWARD, and the shift shaft in the drive in forward, will bend the upper shift shaft in the bellhousing, and will have problems shifting.