Shifting noise

[mikeroe]

I have an 83 3.8 stern drive and last time out I hit a log or something. It damaged my prop. I had the prop rebuilt and I was checking the shaft to see if was bent with a gauge I have. With muffs on, out of the water the shaft was true and straight. However, I noticed it made a noise shifting it gear. I realize in water it wouldn't be heard and the shift felt normal. So my question is, is this normal. I don't remember this noise last time I shifted out of water but then it's been a few years since did this and the shift was out of adjustment at that time.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Shifting noise

Nearly any drive will have a bump, or a slight grind (or whatever you call the sound of the gears engaging). But they're typically slight. How pronounced and prolonged is this? It's harder to beat up the gearbox than the propeller ... well, in theory anyway.

 

[mikeroe]

Re: Shifting noise

That's kind of what I thought. The noise sounded like a moving gear meshing with a non moving gear. I wasn't sure if the EAS system was used in shifting into gear as well as shifting to neutral. I am selling this boat and want to be honest to any potential buyers of aany problems

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Shifting noise

the ESA *may* activate going into gear depending on prop load, and more often with stainless props than aluminum, but the ESA does nothing to lessen the impact of meshing gears. 1 moving gear is meshing with one stationary gear so there will be a clunk.