Can't get outdrive back on, gear selector keeps moving

[Nextelbuddy]

So I've just finished doing my complete bellows kit job on my alpha 1 Gen 2 '96 Sea Ray 210.

I made sure that the that I was in forward gear when I removed the outdrive...

I finished reattaching my lower shift cable and my gear shift lever is back and forward position... The gear selector foot on the bell housing is also showing straight ready to go..


But the little foot gear selector on the outdrive every time I put it straight it keeps sliding to the left and of course when I put the outdrive on it won't seat all the way


I've watched a ton of videos until my eyes are bleeding and most of the videos I see show that that foot is locked and pointed straight..

Did I do something wrong did I accidentally knock the foot out of gear somehow?

Thanks for any help this has been a huge eye-opening experience working on the boat for the first time. what I thought was going to be just a weekend job turned into a three weekend job.

 

[Bt Doctur]

With the rod in a straight line the prop locks CCW, use a bungee

 

[Nextelbuddy]

With the rod in a straight line the prop locks CCW, use a bungee

So you're saying I should point the rod straight, verify the prop locks going counter clockwise and keep pressure towards CCW to keep the rod straight while I install the outdrive at the same time?

 

[Bt Doctur]

yep

 

[Nextelbuddy]

yep

Ok will give that a try In the morning thank you

 

[jesse_boston]

To answer your question: yes you knocked the foot out gear, but no that isn't a problem.
In addition to the above, you'll need to turn the prop CCW *as* you're turning the rod to put it back into gear and get the rod to go fully straight forward. Then putting CCW pressure on the prop will hold it in gear.

 

[Nextelbuddy]

To answer your question: yes you knocked the foot out gear, but no that isn't a problem.
In addition to the above, you'll need to turn the prop CCW *as* you're turning the rod to put it back into gear and get the rod to go fully straight forward. Then putting CCW pressure on the prop will hold it in gear.

we finally got it in that day, the gimbal bearing was not centered properly more so the center portion of the bearing was not centered. the bearing itself was seated all the way in but i had to use the alignment tool to recenter the inner portion of the bearing by bumping it slightly in a certain direction based on the alignment tool spline marks.

now that ive done it once, i feel more confident in the future

thanks for all the help everyone