excessive play in upper gear set

[flashback]

Just brought my outdrive home for routine service(mercrusier pre alpha #1). There seems to be a little play in the upper gears, I can turn the input shaft about 1/8 of an inch before the down shaft starts to turn. is this excessive or normal. thanks in advance....

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: excessive play in upper gear set

Sounds about right to me.If I were in doubt,I would head right back to the shop and have them show you another with the same play.Address your concern asap in case there is a problem.Charlie

 

[Walt T]

Re: excessive play in upper gear set

Sure its not play in the U joints?

 

[flashback]

Re: excessive play in upper gear set

Hi Guys,<br /> Crazy Charlie, this drive did not come from a shop, I took it off my boat last week end just to change oil,waterpump, and possibly u-joints.<br /> Diesel Walt, The u-joints seem to be ok, as far as any slop or roughness in movement so I think it must be some play between the two gears in the top end just from the fact that when I turn the input shaft I can see the down shaft in the front of the drive and it does not turn at the exact same time but does start to move after the input shaft has turned about an eight of an inch.. as I recall, this play was in the drive 2 years ago when I changed out the engine in the boat, and hasn't gotten any worse. I just figured if it was a potential problem I might as well try and fix it and prevent a future problem. Thanks Guys for the reponse...........

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: excessive play in upper gear set

Sorry Flash,I read the post wrong.I thought you said that the drive just came back from the shop.I have a spare drive in my garage,I will turn the shaft when i get home tonight to see how much play there is.Charlie

 

[rodbolt]

Re: excessive play in upper gear set

hello<br /> dude ya just cant check upper gearset backlash by hand. its kinda like setting timing by ear. I have won a lot of money over the years by challenging shade trees to do either. they set it and I check it. you must have a dial indicator and some training to check gear back lash. if its not leaking or making noise and the oil magnets are metal free dont sweat it.<br />goodluckand keep posting

 

[flashback]

Re: excessive play in upper gear set

Rodbolt, Thanks for the info.. at least I know what to call it now. I don't really WANT to get into the gear set, just want to replace water pump and u-joints as a precaution..shade tree, yea i am but a cautious one.. thanks again...