Upper Shift Shaft play

[Monterey10]

1996 Mercruiser 260 alpha 1 gen II

With the drive off, I grabbed the upper shift shaft at the bottom. It is loose in the housing a little. The top of the shift shaft, where the lever is attached has no play at all. (just the bottom) How much play is normal? Perhaps the paw is supported by the bearings in the lower drive(?)

I dont see a bushing in the lower part of the bell housing that could be replaced:

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_Pictures3.asp?dnbr=809759%2098&ivar=images/COMMON/2426.png&inbr=2686&bnbr=100&bdesc=BELL+HOUSING

The drive was slow to shift into reverse, so I'm replacing cables and inspecting the shift system.

Thanks for you input.

 

[kkalsch]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft play

# 6 is the kit and yes there is a bottom bushing -buy the kit

 

[Don S]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft play

Check your bellhousing, it may have the lower bushing. That chart is for 98 and newer and doesn't show the lower busing, the 91 to 95 do have, but the 96 and 97 charts don't even show the bellhousing :facepalm:
If you do have the bushings, the kit numbers are in the 91 to 95 catalog.

 

[Don S]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft play

# 6 is the kit and yes there is a bottom bushing -buy the kit

#6 is not the kit, the newer Gen II's do not have a lower bushing. See my previous reply.

 

[Monterey10]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft play

You guys are great. I would have never figured out the difference in years. Note: The 96/97 seems like odd years. Unique as compared to the earlier and later models.

 

[Don S]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft play

You guys are great. I would have never figured out the difference in years. Note: The 96 seems like an odd year. Unique as compared to the earlier and later models.

That is why I said look at your drive. You may or may not have the lower bushing.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft play

So it's normal for the bottom of the shaft to have a little play in the hole since there is no bushing? I noticed this in my '98 as well when I did the bellows this weekend..