Opinions needed

[jtmarten]

I just pulled one of my drives, intending to replace the gimbal bearing, bellows, water hose, lower shift cable, and tilt/trim senders for both. After having the drive off and inspecting everything, it all looks like new. Gimbal bearing is nice and smooth, zero evidence of bellows leaking.
I'm very tempted to just replace the lower shift cables since I'm pretty sure they're bad (very hard shifting, esp starboard), and having the remaining parts onhand if I do have an issue this year.
Thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Opinions needed

Does the engine die when shifting into or out of gear????? If not, then your stiff shifting problem is not in your lower shift cable.

 

[achris]

Re: Opinions needed

Errr, what are we talking about here? Alphas, bravos, Gen I, Gen II.... How old are they? As #5 would say "Need more input".

Chris......

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Opinions needed

Stbrd side died about 85% of the time last year when going into reverse, 15-20% of the time going into forward. Aggrivating. Port side occasionally died going into reverse.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Opinions needed

Sorry, twin 350/Alpha 1 Gen 1; '86 Wellcraft Nova II.

 

[achris]

Re: Opinions needed

Sorry, twin 350/Alpha 1 Gen 1; '86 Wellcraft Nova II.

If they haven't been replaced before, then it's a high likelihood they need doing now... Stalling on going into gear is usually (95% of the time) a lower shift cable. But you should also be looking for why they failed.

Usually it's a leaking shift shaft seal in the bell housing, especially your era... Merc released a new seal... I'll look up the bulletin and post it back here...

Chris......

 

[achris]

Re: Opinions needed

Here is the BULLETIN... read what is says as 'Problem'....

P.S. I never owned the installation tool... I just made one up out of a long bolt, some washers and a nut...

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Opinions needed

If it's the upper shaft seal/bushing, I bought a transom kit that includes them.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Opinions needed

Thanks! I'll replace those along with the lower cables.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Opinions needed

Here is the BULLETIN... read what is says as 'Problem'....

P.S. I never owned the installation tool... I just made one up out of a long bolt, some washers and a nut...

What's the configuration/use for the tool? The transom kits I bought include the upper bushing/seal and the lower bushing along with the shift arm.
The install tool is $22, but if I can make one out of scraps that'd be much better!
Thanks!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Opinions needed

DEFINATELY replace your driveshaft bellows and shift cable bellows also while apart.....

 

[achris]

Re: Opinions needed

Here is the BULLETIN... read what is says as 'Problem'....

P.S. I never owned the installation tool... I just made one up out of a long bolt, some washers and a nut...

What's the configuration/use for the tool? The transom kits I bought include the upper bushing/seal and the lower bushing along with the shift arm.
The install tool is $22, but if I can make one out of scraps that'd be much better!
Thanks!

Don't take this as an insult.... If you can't work out how to set up a bolt, washers and nut to 'press' in a bushing, then maybe you should be having the rest of the job done by a mechanic.

Chris........

 

[chriscraft31]

Re: Opinions needed

Replace the bellows while its apart. If you park the boat with the outdrive up and there is a small leak you will return to find your boat sitting on the bottom.

 

[achris]

Re: Opinions needed

Replace the bellows while its apart. If you park the boat with the outdrive up and there is a small leak you will return to find your boat sitting on the bottom.

This is contrary to manufacturer's recommendation.

If there is a small leak, regardless of the drive being up or down, the boat will ship water...

Chris......

 

[chriscraft31]

Re: Opinions needed

A friend of mine lost a 26' carver because the bellows (shift linkage bellows) and I had a near miss with my ski boat parked on the beach overnight with the outdrive up. I would replace them if over 5 years old .

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Opinions needed

Don't take this as an insult.... If you can't work out how to set up a bolt, washers and nut to 'press' in a bushing, then maybe you should be having the rest of the job done by a mechanic.

Chris........

None taken, I just haven't had an outdrive for about 7yrs (man I miss my jetdrive!) and have never had one apart. After looking at it, pressing it in/out is a waste of time. I used an old 3/8" long extension, a male allen/hex socket to start pressing them out (kept it centered nicely since they were flush), and an old properly sized socket to knock them out. Took about 3min total to r&r both. Now just waiting for the rain/snow to go away so I can r&r the lower shift cable.