Please help shift shaft problem

[Dean Dorsey]

As a rule I don't mess with lower units other than to change oil, water impellers and drive shaft carriers no deeper. I was changing water impeller in my 3 ltr. large shaft sportmaster, pulled shift shaft ect. to get down to the drive shaft oil seal carrier as I was taking in a tad of water. Upon re-assembling when placing shift shaft back in I noticed there was nothing in the case to any longer seat the shaft in other words nothing to put it into gear just sits and spins in there. like whatever was there to seat in and engage it into gear just fell away. What happened is it hard to fix. Any help appreciated especially if there is a way to fix without going into the gears ect. Thanks in Advance, Dean

[hsbob]

i had the same problem with a 2.5 std LU. the shift dog had slipped out. i had to remove the hud and re-ailign the shift dog.

[WATERWINGS]

Don't know about the 3.0's, but the older 2.4 gearcases had a "cam" that did the shifting.

And if you pulled the shift shaft out, the cam would fall out of position, and might not line back up when you went to put it back.

[usamarshal]

When I pulled my lower unit out and replaced all the gaskets, propeller, etc... on my rude I had to twist the shift five times and then turn it either way in order for the reverse and forward gears to work...only took me a week to figure it out...I was so pissed...just something I overlooked at the time.

[Dean Dorsey]

Guys, Thank you all very much for the info. sounds like the shift shaft cam has fallen out of place. I tried the trick of rotating the prop shaft for a couple hours forward then back, with a light and long screwdriver with no success. I will work it for a couple more this evening then take it to someone who can attack the problem through the carrier. Again many thanks you guys are great! Dean

[usamarshal]

From what I understand you bring it back to its starting point...rotate five times I believe...and then make adjustments as needed.

[Dean Dorsey]

Mine must have somehow broken off as it is rattling around going from front to back of the case top to bottom. At this point it will need to be taken in to have the carrier and gears removed to gain access to it. Thanks for the help guys. Dean

[dtsblack]

was this the motor you bought off of ebay DEAN?

[Dean Dorsey]

Nope Dink Head it's a SM I bought from E. Simon couple yrs. ago and it just a small inconvenience. The one you must be referring to is a FM, not that you could tell the difference, but it's current owner is very happy. Keep butting in on my posts, and I will return the favor. Took everything I could muster not to poke fun at your stranger than life quotes and comments regarding the current ongoing 300X dispute. If you had any idea of the PMs and e-mails I got regarding your off the map comments and conduct in your last post interuption I don't think you would continue to maline yourself. Keep up the good work. Might want to also consider a JOB! Dean