1996 Johnson 88SPL gearcase "spinning" issue

[Darrell W.]

When motor is in neutral, the prop spins freely with no apparent noises or problems. When the motor is in gear (both forward and reverse) the propellor shaft has about 20 degrees of freeplay before driveshaft engages. I don't know how long it has been like this - it runs good, shifts easily and has no other problems. This seems to be a LOT of freeplay - is there a standard to go by? Your help is appreciated...

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1996 Johnson 88SPL gearcase "spinning" issue

What you are encountering is normal. The shift engagement lobes on the gears are about that far apart. The following may give you some idea of that arrangement.

(Shifting With Engine Not Running)
(J. Reeves)

The following should explain the proper procedure for shifting into gear when the engine IS NOT running.

Pertaining to the manual shift models, when shifting into gear with the engine NOT RUNNING, the prop must be spun so as not to possibly have the dog and gear lobes run directly into each other.

To grasp this scenario, with your left hand form a "C" with your thumb and forefinger. Now, with your right hand, form a backwards "C" with your thumb and forefinger. Your fingers will represent the dog and gear lobes.

Slide the finger and thumb of your right hand alongside the thumb and finger of your left hand so that they overlap. This is the position of the dog and gear lobes when properly in gear.

Seperate that position, then butt the tips of the finger and thumb of your right hand up against the finger and thumb tips of your left hand. This represents having the gear and dog lobes directly facing each other. Should you atempt to force the engine into gear with this condition existing, damage to the shift mechanism will surely ocurr.