Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

[synergy141]

Hi, I have a 1998 Mercruiser with the 5.0 Engine. Just put my drive back on after my bellows replacemet and now I cannot shift into reverse ( I would have to force it really hard) and while the throttle is in neutral the prop spins (Drive) I think the shift cable is not adjusted properly???? Can you guys give me some ideas on what to do?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

Did you put the shift and the drive both in forward before joining them together?
If not take it apart and report back on the condition of the shift linkage pieces.
They are likely bent if you assembled out of forward gear.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

If the shift foot at the top of the drive was out it could be in the drive wrong. Did you also separate the lower and upper drive sections?

 

[synergy141]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

I made sure the throttle was left in full foward position, the bent 90 degree metal elbow on the drive slid right into the shifter attached to the boat.I did seperate the lower unit and the drive when I did the water pump. I made sure that the metal 90 degree metal elbow went clockwise just a bit then back to normal.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

Ayuh,... Was tension held on the propshaft while assembling, at All points,..??

My guess is it's Off by a spline at the lower unit...

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

So when you were reinstalling the drive did you feel reverse resistance in the prop? That's how to be sure it's in forward gear. I bungee my prop with a slight amount of reverse force to assure myself it's in forward while I install the drive.
In fact if you put it in forward on the trailer (don't start the engine) it's the same thing. You can also just push in on the cable from inside the boat to check. If it's in gear it won't turn backward.
Once you are sure you can get forward gear go on and adjust the shift cable.

 

[synergy141]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

Tried to adjust the cable according to the manual, the throttle is in neutral position and the prop is locked..... Still cannot move the throttle into reverse

 

[synergy141]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

So when you were reinstalling the drive did you feel reverse resistance in the prop? That's how to be sure it's in forward gear. I bungee my prop with a slight amount of reverse force to assure myself it's in forward while I install the drive.
In fact if you put it in forward on the trailer (don't start the engine) it's the same thing. You can also just push in on the cable from inside the boat to check. If it's in gear it won't turn backward.
Once you are sure you can get forward gear go on and adjust the shift cable.

To re assure it is in Foward gear can I just remove the lower unit or will I have to remove the whole drive again? Im going to try the bungee cord thing.

 

[synergy141]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

When the throttle is in FWD the prop Locks clockwise and rachets counter clockwise and its should only do that when throttle is in reverse???

 

[synergy141]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

have the lower off, put it in forward gear. turned the shift shaft CLOCKWISE when looking down at it all the way while turning the prop COUNTERCLOCKWISE till it locked in place. now in forward gear. Used the bungee on the prop to keep it in gear. Now I want to mate the lower and upper back together but the shift shaft does not align up above with the other female shift shaft in the upper unit????????

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

When the throttle is in FWD the prop Locks clockwise and rachets counter clockwise and its should only do that when throttle is in reverse???

You have the gearcase in reverse not forward. In F the prop locks CCW free CW. in reverse locks CW, free CCW. The lower was in reverse when you put it together. Drain the oil, and drop the lower enough to disconnect the lower shift shaft (short splined shaft, and rotate it all the way clockwise, use bungee to hold CCW tension on prop, and then put it back together, should be OK.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

have the lower off, put it in forward gear. turned the shift shaft CLOCKWISE when looking down at it all the way while turning the prop COUNTERCLOCKWISE till it locked in place. now in forward gear. Used the bungee on the prop to keep it in gear. Now I want to mate the lower and upper back together but the shift shaft does not align up above with the other female shift shaft in the upper unit????????

Make sure that the upper shift shaft is pointing straight ahead. When the lower is in F the intermediate ss should be pointing straight ahead also. If not, Slide the intermediate ss off of the lower ss and realign by one spline in the direction you need to go. If you can't do that the top of the shift shaft may have been damaged.

 

[synergy141]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

You have the gearcase in reverse not forward. In F the prop locks CCW free CW. in reverse locks CW, free CCW. The lower was in reverse when you put it together. Drain the oil, and drop the lower enough to disconnect the lower shift shaft (short splined shaft, and rotate it all the way clockwise, use bungee to hold CCW tension on prop, and then put it back together, should be OK.

Ok So I dropped the lower unit out. now do I unscrew the 2 bolts holding the shift shaft bushing assy? then pull up the shift shaft, hold the prop in the Counter clockwise position then lower the shift shaft back into the housing?

BTW: Why do you have to drain all the oil out? Can't I just leave it in?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

Hmmm Dang!, I just noted you have a gen II, was thinking it was a gen I. That is way different. Just one question then, when you turn the lower shift shaft all the way clockwise, is it pointed straight ahead and is the prop locked in the CCW direction? If it is, then you are OK. I am sorry for the confusion.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

Ok So I dropped the lower unit out. now do I unscrew the 2 bolts holding the shift shaft bushing assy? then pull up the shift shaft, hold the prop in the Counter clockwise position then lower the shift shaft back into the housing?

You don't have to remove the bolts.
Found this in the service manual:
IMPORTANT: The shift shaft must point forward when the shaft is rotated clockwise.
If it does not, lift it up slightly and realign the lower shift shaft splines into the shift
crank. Recheck to make sure that it is now aligned correctly.
2. Operate the shift shaft to ensure that it has been properly installed. The sliding clutch
should move forward when the shift shaft is turned clockwise. It should move aft when
the shift shaft is turned counterclockwise.

If you don't drain the oil it will leak all over

 

[synergy141]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

I have the prop locked in the Couter clockwise position with a strap holding it in place and the shift lever is pointing straight ahead. Im going to wait til the morning to but the whole thing back on. Thanks for the Help!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

Before you put it on, operate the control handle through the complete range a couple of times, just to make sure that everything is free and working correctly. Back to forward, put er together and hit the water.

 

[synergy141]

Re: Put Alpha Drive back on now will not go into reverse and prop spins in neutral

OOOOO YEAAA , got everything put back together and it shifts freely into FWD, N and Reverse!!!!!! I want to start up the engine and see how everything shifts but its 1:15 AM and dont think the neighbors will be too pleased!!! O well wake up early tommrow morning check everything, then its Boating time!!!