End play on propeller shaft

[GenLee]

I have 1999 225Merc EFI. I have about 5/16 to 3/8 on my prop shaft(no joke)
I took it apart, but couldn't find anything wrong w/it. The manual says to check shoulder on shaft where reverse gear rides against,reverse gear itself and thrust washer. Everythings ok. Took it to the dealer, but he didn't know either.
Any advice but be greatly appreciated.

 

[will941s]

Re: End play on propeller shaft

Was work done on the lower prior to this happening? Did it happen all the sudden or one day did you decide to check it? Either way I think it's way too much. By any means i'm no expert but I would assume that not every lower unit cavity and lower unit parts are identical, there are always some varitation between the parts and thats why tolerences have to checked and shims have to added to put the produced parts within safe operating specs.

My guess is if it's out of tolerence, and that parts are in working order....then shims would have to added in the required spot in the assembly to take out the free play and put it within operating specs.

 

[GenLee]

Re: End play on propeller shaft

It was fine one day and the next day it wasn't. When you open the throttle the slack goes to the rear and pushes the forward gear into the pinion and will try to bog the engine down.