Lost Forward Gear!!!

[muskyhunter]

Hi! I have a 1984 140 merc i/o. Everything was fine on the water for most of the day drift fishing but then I started the boat up again to make another drift I didn't have forward gear! Cable from shifter to the motor was good. The cable from the motor to the outdrive I'm not to sure because it moves and seems to move and can hear it trying to engage. So I thought I would check the shift couplers.After I pulled it out of the water of course...LOL. I noticed that the bell housing shift coupler was sitting on top of the drive unit shaft coupler not connected together like they should be. It is almost like the drive coupler is not high enough to sit up inside the bell housing coupler. When I lift up the drive coupler it will engage forward and reverse. Now can I replace the drive coupler/ lower shift cable or is it worse than that? ie:gears?

Thanks in advance for any info!!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Lost Forward Gear!!!

Whoever serviced the lower unit forgot to replace the SS washer that goes on the splined shift shaft.

 

[muskyhunter]

Re: Lost Forward Gear!!!

Is there a way for the ss washer to wear or break? It ran fine all last season? I had the lower end all greased oils changed as I do every year is it possible it happened then, do they take out the drive coupler to grease it?

Thanks for the reply!!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Lost Forward Gear!!!

SS dosent rust or corrode away so my guess it was left out.May have had the spline well greased and it took some time to be displaced allowing the lower shoe to drop down. Most couplers get their grease by greasing the drive spline when installing the drive

 

[muskyhunter]

Re: Lost Forward Gear!!!

I'll get that checked pronto! I hope that's all it is! I'll post what I find.

Thanks again!!