Shift cable bellows.

[nola mike]

I have been expecting a situation where when the prop locks - nothing but moving the shift cable will unlock it. Apparently that is incorrect?

the prop locks but you need to keep tension on the cable. it will slip out of gear if not.

 

[wengr]

Ayuh,...... You need to hold the lower in forward, when you slide it into the upper,....

Thanks- this makes perfect sense to me when the boat was in forward at removal and the cables have not been touched. But in my case the lower shift cable is not connected to the bracket. It's free to move, so I don't understand the importance of the lower unit being in first gear. Seems to me as long as the lower shift shaft is properly fit to the upper shift shaft, (and it is) the gear position wouldn't matter.
I'm really trying to get my head around this before I drain and split the drive again.

 

[nola mike]

Thanks- this makes perfect sense to me when the boat was in forward at removal and the cables have not been touched. But in my case the lower shift cable is not connected to the bracket. It's free to move, so I don't understand the importance of the lower unit being in first gear. Seems to me as long as the lower shift shaft is properly fit to the upper shift shaft, (and it is) the gear position wouldn't matter.
I'm really trying to get my head around this before I drain and split the drive again.

Not sure if we're all just misunderstanding or you are, but if the lower is not in forward gear but the upper is (ie the shaft is facing forward), the intermediate shaft will be misaligned when you put it back together

 

[wengr]

Not sure if we're all just misunderstanding or you are, but if the lower is not in forward gear but the upper is (ie the shaft is facing forward), the intermediate shaft will be misaligned when you put it back together

Ok if by intermediate shaft, you are referring to the upper shift shaft, or shift shoe, etc. Then yes they are mated. They are visible from underneath the outdrive, and they turn together as expected while the lower cable is operated by hand.

 

[nola mike]

Ok if by intermediate shaft, you are referring to the upper shift shaft, or shift shoe, etc. Then yes they are mated. They are visible from underneath the outdrive, and they turn together as expected while the lower cable is operated by hand.

But are they mated correctly? They both need to be in the same gear when mated, which is why the prop needs to be locked.

 

[wengr]

But are they mated correctly? They both need to be in the same gear when mated, which is why the prop needs to be locked.

Ahh so my lower shift shaft can be in the forward position - but the lower unit internally is actually not in forward?

 

[nola mike]

Ahh so my lower shift shaft can be in the forward position - but the lower unit internally is actually not in forward?

well, no, but without the prop locked the shaft will slip and flop around a bit.

 

[wengr]

My lower was removed in order to do the impeller. The lower shift shaft was never removed. My upper drive was then removed to do the cable, and the upper shift shaft had to come out in order to reseat the exhaust bellows.
While all videos claim that the prop should lock counter clockwise with the lower shift cable pushed in, my prop only locks counter clockwise when the lower shift cable is pulled out.

 

[nola mike]

My lower was removed in order to do the impeller. The lower shift shaft was never removed. My upper drive was then removed to do the cable, and the upper shift shaft had to come out in order to reseat the exhaust bellows.
While all videos claim that the prop should lock counter clockwise with the lower shift cable pushed in, my prop only locks counter clockwise when the lower shift cable is pulled out.

Still don't think you're getting it. You need to have tension on the prop and lower shift shaft AS YOU REASSEMBLE. Let's make it simple. Remove the whole drive, split it, and redo.

 

[Bondo]

My lower was removed in order to do the impeller. The lower shift shaft was never removed. My upper drive was then removed to do the cable, and the upper shift shaft had to come out in order to reseat the exhaust bellows.
While all videos claim that the prop should lock counter clockwise with the lower shift cable pushed in, my prop only locks counter clockwise when the lower shift cable is pulled out.

Ayuh,....... Even if you didn't touch the lower shift shaft, it moved into neutral, or beyond, just by the nature of the design,......
Drop the lower unit, turn the shift shaft to forward gear, then reassemble, while holding tension on the prop shaft, so that everything is assembled, in forward gear,.....

 

[wengr]

I removed the lower. Upon reinstallation I believe I discovered the issue. The upper and lower shift shafts don't line up perfectly. This time I kept cc pressure on the prop as you guys suggested, and I forced the upper shaft in line, and it seems to be fine now, as far as I can tell in the back yard. The first time I probably moved the lower shaft in order to line them up and it came out of gear. Anyway thank you Nola and Bondo I would not have gotten it done without your advice.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Glad to hear so,......

Does it now shift to all gears,..??

 

[wengr]

Ayuh,..... Glad to hear so,......

Does it now shift to all gears,..??

Yes Sir. Cable adjustments went as expected and seemingly no issues.

 

[nola mike]

Yes Sir. Cable adjustments went as expected and seemingly no issues.

Good to hear, easier to see what's going on when you're in there.