clutch dog wear...how much is too much?

[iRich]

Hi all, Me again with chrysler 45 hp. I have the lower unit apart and am trying to determin how much wear is too much on the clutch dog and forward gear. the gear as barely any wear at all. the clutch dog is worn down about 1/4 of the corner is rounded off. It seems like if they are locked in all the way they have a lot to bite into though. Jus want an idea how much wear is acceptable before I order any parts as I'm sure the parts guy would tell me any wear at all is unacceptable. Thanks,<br /><br />Rich

 

[HowieDean]

Re: clutch dog wear...how much is too much?

Why did you take it apart...<br />That sounds like alot of wear on the clutch dog...<br />They tend to bounce out rather then engaging when they get much worse then that... <br /><br />Here's what you need to keep in mind.. when that clutch dog starts bouncing out rather then locking in... it is very prone to breaking... when it breaks you are going to have a nice chuck of hardend steel floating around your gears... and you are most likely going to trash them... They don't give them away you know...<br /><br />I would really think about putting in a new one...<br />A new one will also help the worn forward gear last longer.

 

[steelespike]

Re: clutch dog wear...how much is too much?

Rich, On some motors you can reverse the dog <br />So the worn part is on the reverse gear where it doesnt get as much strain.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: clutch dog wear...how much is too much?

If it was popping out of gear at much above idle in forward, I would replace the clutch dog and forward gear. Most of the expense (if you had to pay for this job) is labor. It would seem a shame to put the same crappy parts back after all the work you have done sp far. By the way, no amount of rounding on the clutch dog is acceptable other than the very slight radius on a new one.<br /><br />Spike makes a good point about reversing the clutch on some OMC (not sure about Chrysler) motors. On some motors, F and R gears can be swapped as well. Understand, that the popping out of gear (if that's what you had) will now move to R from F, if that's OK.<br /><br />By the way, most LU failures are due to improper shifting technique ... shifts from neutral to forward should be made briskly, not babied. From reverse to forward (or visa versa) should have a several second pause in neutral. Also, idle should not be too high and linkage should be adjusted properly to fully engage shifts. Proper shifting gives many years of LU service.