Lower Unit Assistance

[myowneq]

Hello everyone. I'm confuzed.<br /><br />First off, I have a 1982 (maybe 4) Merc 90 V6. I finally got around to pulling my lower unit off to rebuild the water pump. Got everything reassembled and now can not seem to get the lower back on the last inch or so of the way. It feels like it is bumping on something. <br /><br />I have had several problems and solutions already found. Also, upon reading the Clymer manual, it says my prop should turn in either direction in neutral. It will make a full rotation (kind of tough with the new impellor). That does not happen. I believe my lower is stuck in gear. How do I get it into neutral? Here is my checklist so far.<br /><br />1) Water insert tube was not properly seated. Fixed that in both the upper and lower joints.<br /><br />2) Shift lever has not quite touch the upper side yet, so I am pretty sure that isn't it.<br /><br />3) I have tried turning the drive shaft while pushing up. I don't feel any type of rubbing there. <br /><br />4) All bolts are already in their proper holes and a bare fraction (paper-thin) above the nut area. <br /><br />I have done a search and the first 100 searches came up with lots of teardowns, but no rebuilds. Does anyone have a tip I can try?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Lower Unit Assistance

Take a flashlight and peak up the driveshaft hole..look for the driveshaft boot or oring..It might be stuck in the crank.<br /><br />TMD

 

[Skinsk]

Re: Lower Unit Assistance

did you put a lot of grease on the drive shaft splines? If so, the splines may be building up too much pressure as you insert them..<br /><br />Scott..

 

[myowneq]

Re: Lower Unit Assistance

There is nothing in the drive shaft area. No boot or ORing. I will try grease in the morning. But I don't think it is even getting that far. The prop still turns fairly freely (adjusting for the new impellor) and doesn't even feel like it is seating.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Lower Unit Assistance

DON'T grease the end of the driveshaft, only the sides (splines).<br /><br />Mine go together better if shifted into forward, on both the lower unit and the controls.

 

[myowneq]

Re: Lower Unit Assistance

Ok, If I my shift cable from the throttle control to the motor is broken, how can I set it to either forward or reverse gear?

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Lower Unit Assistance

On the port side of the engine the cable enters. Remove the cable from the shift actuator and move the shifter by hand. It should be the lowest cable.<br /><br />TMD

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Lower Unit Assistance

EQ, <br />First you want to make sure that both the lower unit and the shift shaft are positioned in the same gear... So if you took the lower unit off while in neutral, make sure that the shift shaft is positioned in neutral... If your prop moves freely in both directions the lower unit is in "neutral" all you need to do is move the shift linkage connects to the top of the upper shift shaft to move the shaft into the proper position... Hopefully you didn't move it while the lower unit was off, so then you won't have to worry about it...<br /><br />If you have an inch or so left to go, I bet you are not getting the drive shaft splines to line up with the splines in the crank... Get some help and while pushing up on the lower unit, have someone turn the flywheel clockwise "slowly" until they line up. This is necessary every time normally. It's not a "by yourself job". You will also have to line up the upper and lower shift shafts, they will be next... Don't push up all the way until you are sure that they are lined up, if they aren't you could push the upper shaft up and have to start all over again.