'83 penta with 270 out drive bouncing up and down in reverse

[K77nelson]

My out drive just started bouncing up and down when I go into reverse when the out drive isn't all the way down and locked in. It dOesnt do it when the drive is all the way down. As soon as I lift the drive up once it's not locked it does it. I can pull the drive up by had also when it's not locked in. It seems like something isn't engaging that's suppose to hold the drive in place??????

 

[captmello]

Re: '83 penta with 270 out drive bouncing up and down in reverse

Welcome!

The outdrive needs to be locked down so it doesn't kick up in reverse. Do not try to reverse with the outdrive tilted up. You will damage the lift mechanism and could damage the ujoints in the outdrive.

Remember the tilt is not for trimming the motor at speed, it is just for raising the outdrive for pulling the boat out or launching. Do not trailer the boat with the tilt supporting the outdrive in the up position as it is very hard on the tilt assembly. You can run forward at idle speed with the tilt up no more than half way, if you need to in shallow water.

It sounds like everything is working as it should.