alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

[rayray89]

Hi all long time looker first time poster

I changed the impeller on my alpha 1 Gen 1 . Had a hard time lining up to put the drive back on so I put the shifter in fwd and it fit great but I took the drive out in neutral .... now my problem is the prop is ratcheting clockwise and locking ccw even when I shift to neutral

Is this normal? I have not started the boat yet

Thanks for any help!!

 

[MarkSee]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

WELCOME to the forums.

Have you looked to make sure the shift shaft is engaged in the shift shoe?
If the shift is in full forward and the drive is engaged in forward, which it is by the way you are describing, then the shift shaft/shoe should both be pointing directly fore/aft.

Mark

 

[rayray89]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

I'm going to open her up in 30 mins ..... when I said ' shifter ' I ment I went full throttle fwd, then rotated the prop and bam the lower unit went up

I kept getting 2 inches away and it wouldnt go more but it went up and now I have this problem .... btw I only removed the lower unit

 

[thumpar]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

The shift shaft may be a tooth or 2 off .

 

[bspeth]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

double post

 

[bspeth]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

when you drop the lower again rotate the shift splines clockwise to put the unit in fwd,install lower with remote in fwd,only turn the prop ccw to line it up.

 

[rayray89]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

Thanks for all the support guys

Now somehow the prop spins in fwd and reverse ... its making a loud clink noise that sounds like its coming from the big spline that goes into the upper unit

 

[rayray89]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

If anyone has a minute please watch the clip I uploaded about my prop its 17 seconds


http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=lRl0ReX-mC8

 

[Bondo]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

If anyone has a minute please watch the clip I uploaded about my prop its 17 seconds


http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=lRl0ReX-mC8

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... That noise is Almost in gear,...

It should ratchet/ click goin' one way, 'n Lock goin' the other, opposites for forward, 'n reverse,...

Drop the lower, 'n start over, with Everything in forward, 'n held in forward,....
I use a bungee strap on the prop shaft to hold tension on Forward gear,...

 

[thumpar]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

Yep. Sounds like it is a tooth off on the shift shaft.

 

[rayray89]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... That noise is Almost in gear,...

It should ratchet/ click goin' one way, 'n Lock goin' the other, opposites for forward, 'n reverse,...

Drop the lower, 'n start over, with Everything in forward, 'n held in forward,....
I use a bungee strap on the prop shaft to hold tension on Forward gear,...

So it will stay locked and ratchet until your done and put it in neutral?
Do u have to start the boat?


Thanks a lot this is my first boat!!

 

[thumpar]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

So it will stay locked and ratchet until your done and put it in neutral?
Do u have to start the boat?


Thanks a lot this is my first boat!!

You don't want it to ratchet until after you get it all together. You need it locked in place when assembling.

 

[airshot]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

As a new boat owner you should have a "Mercruiser" service manual, this valuable asset will explain step by step procedures to do the job you want and need to do. Those who cut corners and "figure it out as they go" usually end up asking how to fix it on here. The good folks on this forum are glad to help but having the correct service manual will do far more to solve your problem. As a new boat owner please keep in mind this will be only one of many future maintenance issues you will need to tackle so the manual will only continue to be your friend as long as you own the boat.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

OK need to understand how it works. There are two gears, one for F and one for R. They slide back and forth to engage the gear on the propshaft. In F the propshaft spins clockwise, in R counterclockwise. The force of the water against the spinning prop keeps the gears locked together. So to lock the gearcase in F you need to apply counterclockwise pressure. That pressure must be constantly applied, so use a bungee to sustane CCW pressure. Next you must have the control in forward, so that the little shoe on the bottom of the upper shift shaft points straight ahead. Finally you must have the gearcase (lower) in forward. Do this by turning the short splined lower shift shaft all the way clockwise and bungee the prop with counterclockwise pressure. Once you have it locked you should be good to go, put it back together. Make sure the washer is in place on the lower shift shaft, and the quad ring in the oil passage is in place and the top of the intermediate shift shaft mates with the bottom of the upper ss. Good luck.

 

[achris]

Re: alph1 impeller change.. stuck in drive?

DO NOT forget the SS washer and the rubber washer on top of the lower shift shaft... So we all understand what you are talking about, please use THIS POST and describe the parts you are working on by the correct name. I have often heard the name 'lower' but 3 different people have 3 different meanings for that word.... Please use the correct names for parts.... Drive shaft housing, bell housing, gear housing, ect.... That way we all understand exactly what's happening... For example, when I read your first post, it sounded like you remove the complete stern drive assembly and were having trouble getting it back on, and I was thinking bent upper shift shaft... Then I read that you only removed the lower (which means what? I'm now assuming you mean the gear housing).... Whole different set of rules....

Chris......