Reassembling halfs of Mercruiser R drive

[artificialreef]

I am following the manual about reassembeling the 2 halfs of my R drive following my first impeller change. I put the shift shaft in the forward position so it shows at 6:00 o clock when looking down. After borrowing 2 helpers to lower it down i got it together. When i spin the prop shaft forward it clunks going forward. If i move the shift shaft to about the 5:27 o clock position it spins smoothly in forward. Neutral is about 5:25 and reverse is 5:23. It will go to 6:00, just not smooth. Also please see the attachment. Is the shift shaft all the way engaged? it looks a little high, looks like that raised area on the shaft is supposed to be flush with the casing. Do i need to try this again? Thank you for your response.

 

[choochooharley]

Re: Reassembling halfs of Mercruiser R drive

Yes that is too High I think that you do not have the splines lined up between the upper shift shaft and the lower shift shaft. Try lifting up on the shift shaft and turn it and try to line up the splines and get it to drop down again if it doesnt you will have to split the halves again.....If you do have to split them again you should turn the lower shift shaft with your finger while spining the prop counter clockwise.....untill it locks....then you know you are in forward for sure.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Reassembling halfs of Mercruiser R drive

I was spinning the prop shaft when i posted above. When i spin the ujoints it seems to work fine. At risk of sounding like i am shopping to find the answer i like. The picture in the manual shows the collar on the shift shaft above the casing also. Please be patient. The shaft feels like it moves correctly. I can hear gears locking when i rotate it. I know some may get angry and say yah! put it together like that. But since i am doing this in my front porch by myself, i have to keep getting neighbors to come over to help me raise this. Is that collar supposed to be flush with the casing? Side note: looks like there should be some kind of seal on that too. My shaft looks like it has been exposed to water and has no seal. Once again i appreciate your help and patience, this is my first impellar change.

 

[choochooharley]

Re: Reassembling halfs of Mercruiser R drive

Ok from the picture you sent you can see where just under the ridge where it has been worn from rubbing where it turns....when you say it clunks going forward what do you mean.....and how are you spinning the prop shaft it should not spin feely unless it is in nuetral....When it is in forward it should stop when you spin it counter clockwise and make a ratcheting noise when spun clockwise.....and when you say it will go to 6 o clock just not smooth what do you mean?

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Reassembling halfs of Mercruiser R drive

When spinning it from the prop shaft with the shift shaft in the forward position (when looking down from the top 6:00 oclock) it is not smooth, it clunks like it is stepping over gear teeth, same when i move the shaft to reverse. I seems to work correctly when i rotate the ujoint yoke which makes me think its ok. Just concerned about how high the shaft is. Please look at the new attachment from the manual. Looks kind of the same. Thank you for your help Charley.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Reassembling halfs of Mercruiser R drive

The wratcheting is probably the clunking i am talking about. I am prob ok. Is there a seal required on that shift shaft?
Thank you.

 

[choochooharley]

Re: Reassembling halfs of Mercruiser R drive

Yes there is a seal it is in the lower unit (bottom ) half it is not on the upper shift shaft. The pic I was looking at may be a bad angle. There's one sure way to tell try To put the outdrive back on if the shaft slides into the slot its correct. If your spining the propshaft clockwise while in forward you will hear a ratcheting sound if you spin it counter clockwise it should stop and then if you keep going counter it will spin the drive shafts. I wouldn't spun It too much though you may ruin your new impeller.