Outdrive won't go back on?

[FishHog]

I'm absolutely perplexed. Spent the night replacing all the bellows, gimble bearing, shift cable. Everything went as well as could be expected, and finally I thougth we had one.

Just throw the outdrive back on, and were done. NOPE. It will not go on. Gets about 1" from where it needs to be and just stops. And then its a real fight to even get it back off. Just put it on 2 weeks ago, before I discovered a leaking shift bellows. Pulled it last weekend and now can't get it back on.

I thought it was just the splines not linining up, but we have turned it a million times and no go. Its like its catching on something, but there is nothing there to catch on.

Its a merc alpha one.

Any suggestions other than a sledge hammer, which I was about to use before I decided I had enough for the night.

FishHog

 

[tommays]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

And aliment tool would be a good place to start to be sure the motor has not saged from old mounts Or smething as simple as just getting the gimble bearing in line

 

[ziggy]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

Spent the night replacing all the bellows, gimble bearing,

tm is right on. ya gotta align it after gimble brg. replacement. if ya ain't got the alignment bar, get one. it'll be the best bread ya ever spend....

 

[JustJason]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

I'll back up what Tommays just said....
Ya NEED an alignment bar... no if's and's or but's about it!!!!
There is NO other way to do it period.
Hope that helps

 

[FishHog]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

That was my first thought, and your probably right. I had a friend of a friend come over a couple weeks ago, when I put the drive on originally. He has a tool, and everything was cool.

I just didn't really think pulling and replacing the bearing would really change alignment. Only put 3 hours on it since it was checked.

I guess I'll try to get him to come for another visit and check. But I'm still confused how the alignment would have changed. Thats kind of why I discounted that thought and figured it was another stupid issue I was overlooking.

FishHog

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

I just didn't really think pulling and replacing the bearing would really change alignment.

The alignment didn't change, but the center part of the gimbal bearing moves seperate from the outside ring.
You now have to align the inside part of the gimbal bearing to the coupler.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

Changing the gimbal bearing doesn't change the alignment of the engine per se, but it does affect the alignment. The bearing needs to be properly "set" after installation. You simply put the alignment bar in and tap the end of the handle with a big rubber mallet in all directions - up, down, left, and right. Then you chack the alignment. Once the alignment is good, your outdrive should go on.

Another thought is to make sure you lube the oring on the shaft. It will hang up on the gimbal bearing otherwise.

 

[QC]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

Even with the alignment you need to do a search here for "Mercruiser kick" . . .

 

[FishHog]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

thanks guys. Appreciate the info. Will give it a try.

FishHog

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

Also, hopefully your drive was in forward when you removed it and still is.

 

[Jerico]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

Bruce beat me to it. As everyone else said, alignment first. Also make sure the foot on the shifter lines up.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

I just installed my Cobra for the first time myself this spring, and I second the use of the alignment tool to get the gimble bearing in the correct orientation so that the drive shaft will slide through correctly into the engine coupler. Keep in mind that the gimble bearing 'gimbles' in that it can move up, down, left and right in its race. So if you are not starting with it lined up right, there ain't no way the driveshaft has a chance of sliding through right.I used motor oil on the o-rings in the drive shaft and OMC triple guard grease on the splines. It is not that easy to keep the u-joints from moving around when you are trying to line it all up.
I built a stand to keep the drive at the right height to make this easier. It still takes a little 'finessing' but I mean wiggling, pushing, not shoving or kicking per se. When it's aligned right it just slides right in and the drive housing should come within a 1/16th or so of the pivot mounting surface.

 

[FishHog]

Re: Outdrive won't go back on?

Yup, you guys were right. Little tweak with the bar and she all slid together perfectly. Learn something new every day.

thanks very much for all the help.

FishHog