Stuck in Forward

[brburcham80]

I just replaced the water impeller (by the way this is the FIRST time I have done this or had the LU off). And now it is stuck in forward. It seems the LU shift shaft isnt going into the motor shift shaft all the way and locking in. Is there a trick, or something else wrong. I have had it off and on 5 or so times trying to get it all lined up. I can manually move the motor shift shaft with vise grips and it does turn the LU shaft (What I am trying to say is that they both move maybe 1/8 turn and then it gets tight, I guess it is when it is going to shift gears) <br /><br />I am hoping someone understands what is going on here, or what I am trying to explain.<br /><br />Thanks for any help that you might have to offer. I would love to have it in the water Saturday........

 

[CaptnKirk]

Re: Stuck in Forward

I had that similar problem reassembling my lower end. It takes some tinkering and a lot of patience! First off, try putting the control box in forward gear and reassemble. After you get it back together, shift into neutral and spin the prop. Do the same for reverse and back into forward. What got me was aligning the splines on the shift shaft, that was cause for high blood pressure! <br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br /><br />Captn---

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stuck in Forward

1977Merc115, You should be able to get that LU to shift between gears while it is off the motor. I like to use neutral when reassembling. If you cannot shift it when it is off, there is something else wrong with it. if you can shift it properly, then check the condition of the shift shaft splines and the coupler splines on the uper shift shaft. If either are stripped, you will need to replace them. if they are OK, make sure the black plastic Shift Shaft Bushing is installed in the midsection. This forces the upper and lower shift shafts to mate.

 

[brburcham80]

Re: Stuck in Forward

After messing around with it for a few more times I decided to take it to a local person and have him try it out. He messed with it for a few minutes and finally got it to go. He said the cluthes are starting to show some ware, and that was why it was so hard to get back on. Thanks for all the help.<br />Brad