Shift shaft Seal spring loaded?

[cas4764]

Hello all, I recently replaced my Mercruiser 5.7 Alpha Shift seal and upon doing so noticed that I have some play in the shift shaft going up and down. When I up it all back together everything lined up and was working well until it slipped out of gear and would only go in reverse. After loading the boat I noticed the shift shaft seemed to too low causing the lower shaft to not fully engage with the housing on the upper shaft. I was able to move the lower shaft back into place with my fingers but noticed there is about 1/2 inch play where it moves up and down. My question is....Did I do something wrong when putting it all back together? Is the shift shaft spring loaded somehow? Thanks!

 

[achris]

Hello cas4764, and welcome to iboats.

First up, what is the serial number of the drive? There's quite a difference in the shift shaft systems between Alpha One and Alpha One Gen II...

Chris......

 

[Bt Doctur]

You lost the SS washer that goes on the lower splined shaft, shift shaft is not spring loaded

 

[achris]

You lost the SS washer that goes on the lower splined shaft, shift shaft is not spring loaded

Not if it's a gen II.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Without a year or serial number all we can give is our best guess
If it was a GEN II it would not be moving up and down that much

 

[cas4764]

Thanks for the responses. The motor is a 1999 Mercruiser Serial #OL510324. I've posted a couple of pictures. One showing the the shift shaft all the way up and one showing where it falls down and slips out of gear. Thanks!

 

[cas4764]

Hello cas4764, and welcome to iboats.

First up, what is the serial number of the drive? There's quite a difference in the shift shaft systems between Alpha One and Alpha One Gen II...

Chris......

Thanks for the responses. The motor is a 1999 Mercruiser Serial #OL510324. I've posted a couple of pictures. One showing the the shift shaft all the way up and one showing where it falls down and slips out of gear. Thanks! ​

 

[cas4764]

Without a year or serial number all we can give is our best guess
If it was a GEN II it would not be moving up and down that much

I have added that information. Thanks for the response.

 

[achris]

Without a year or serial number all we can give is our best guess
If it was a GEN II it would not be moving up and down that much

Thanks for the responses. The DRIVE is a 1999 Mercruiser Serial #0L510324....

So, it IS a Gen II... (Never make assumptions)

I just check my drive. It does exactly the same thing. Shift shaft moves up and down about 5mm. Perfectly normal.

Chris.....

 

[Bt Doctur]

I`ll check a drive tomorrow, but if its dropping that low to go out of fwd then the shift crank may be bent from some reason
Chris, that 5mm to decimal is just only 3/16 ths . That dosent seem like the drop he`s describing

 

[cas4764]

So, it IS a Gen II... (Never make assumptions)

I just check my drive. It does exactly the same thing. Shift shaft moves up and down about 5mm. Perfectly normal.

Chris.....

Any idea why its having trouble shifting into drive? I made sure it was in drive and all lined up before putting it all back together. I've read where you have to lock the prop. I didnt do that and it possibly moved while putting it together. Do you recommend replacing all the cables? Thanks

 

[cas4764]

I`ll check a drive tomorrow, but if its dropping that low to go out of fwd then the shift crank may be bent from some reason

I'm wondering if the shift cable is worn and needs to be replaced?

 

[Bt Doctur]

If the upper shoe is in a straight line in full fwd , shift cable is ok, can you shift it into full fwd, lower shift shoe pointing straight fwd at 12:00

 

[cas4764]

If the upper shoe is in a straight line in full fwd , shift cable is ok, can you shift it into full fwd, lower shift shoe pointing straight fwd at 12:00

Yes, when put in full forward both are straight. Once in forward the throttle moves freely. The problem is when switching from neutral to forward. I'm concerned that it might not have been in full forward or the prop wasn't locked when I put it back together. On a side note....Would I have to drain all the oil to lower the bottom unit and lock the prop? Appreciate your help.

 

[Bt Doctur]

No, with the drive removed you can lock the prop CCW with the shift shaft in the 12:00 position. This is the position you would use to install the drive . You cant install a complete drive if your not in full fwd

 

[achris]

Yes, when put in full forward both are straight. Once in forward the throttle moves freely. The problem is when switching from neutral to forward. I'm concerned that it might not have been in full forward or the prop wasn't locked when I put it back together. On a side note....Would I have to drain all the oil to lower the bottom unit and lock the prop? Appreciate your help.

Are you shifting with the engine not running (or someone turning the prop)? If so, that may be why it feels stiff. If the clutch dogs in the drive may be facing flat to flat. That will put excess strain on the cable and all the components in the shift system...

When the drive is in forward, the prop will lock in REVERSE, and in reverse the prop locks in FORWARD.

Chris..............

 

[cas4764]

Are you shifting with the engine not running (or someone turning the prop)? If so, that may be why it feels stiff. If the clutch dogs in the drive may be facing flat to flat. That will put excess strain on the cable and all the components in the shift system...

When the drive is in forward, the prop will lock in REVERSE, and in reverse the prop locks in FORWARD.

Chris..............

Chris, Since you told me earlier that the movement in the shift shaft was normal I started looking at other things. I believe the problem might be that my cables needed to be adjusted. I watched a video on youtube from Chrisa660 on adjusting the cables and adjusted them to the specs. I will start it tomorrow and check how its shifting. Are you Chrisa660 on youtube?

 

[nola mike]

That's him...

 

[cas4764]

That's him...

Awesome GREAT VIDEO! Thanks for all you do in helping us that are trying to learn!

 

[achris]

Awesome GREAT VIDEO! Thanks for all you do in helping us that are trying to learn!

No problem. I like helping people WHO are trying to learn.

Chris..............
(aka, achris, Chrisa660)