Can't get Merc lower unit back on, Help,help help

[CDave]

Got the waterpump changed but can't get the LU snugged back up. I lack about 1/2 inch, what's the deal?

And no penis jokes. :D

[ShorePounder]

Check the easy stuff first. Make sure everything is lined up properly.

Water tube sleeve and water tube
shift shaft
rubber exhaust can gasket (if you still run one.


Are you a half inch from getting the studs through the holes, are do you have a half inch gap between the lower and the mid?

[CDave]

Half inch gap between LU and mid section.

[ShorePounder]

Double check the shift shaft splines, but it should pull right on up in there with the nuts. My inline LU would hang there, I'd gently snug the nuts up equally and it would go on in.

[CDave]

That's what it looks like is hanging up. I push up and the shift shaft moves up too.

It seems like it is engauging, maybe it's tight like your inline?

[MTCM]

Make sure there is no grease on top of the Drive Shaft Splines or the Shift Shaft splines. Grease on sides of splines is OK and is recommended. No grease blobs on top of the splines. Like Pounder said, once everything is aligned, tighten nuts on sides (middle) equally to raise gearcase to midsection.

[MTCM]

You do have the Gearcase in forward gear and the Shifter in forward gear position and a prop on the propeller shaft to turn the drive shaft to align the driveshaft splines to the powerhead splines right?

[ShorePounder]

Good catch there MTCM, on the shift shaft position and driveshaft. I'm thinking that if he's that close the driveshaft splines have started, but it NEVER hurts to double check.

Hey CDave, make sure that the LU and the shifter are in the same position. If the shifter or the shift shaft got bumped, it may be a spline off, or it just may be a snug fit.

Hope this is helping you some.

[Brian]

Sounds like you don't have the shift shaft lined up. Make sure the L/U is in forward gear, put the control in forward, unhook the shift cable without moving the shaft in the motor then slightly turn the shaft in the motor back or forth until it falls onto the shaft in the L/U. Snug up the two side nuts for the L/U and hook cable back up and check to make sure you have F, N & R. Should be fine.

[CDave]

Thanks y'all I finally got the bastard, um I mean angel, back together. **knocks on wood**

It was the shifter shaft out of sync. Had to disconnect the cable to get it right but I got it.

Gonna miss the Marshal Tucker Band concert tonight but I'm good for the weekend!!!
www.contrabanddays.com :)

[ShorePounder]

I think I'd have said "Ta hell with this chit" and gone to see the Marshall Tucker boys.

Glad ya got her back together.

[Raceman]

C Dave, we'd have figured more than 1/2" if we were gonna start in on Penis jokes.

Just for future reference, for people who don't do it every day, it's MUCH easier to do with everything in neutral. I almost suggested it the other day when you first posted about disconnecting, but the people who do it every day prefer in gear. The advantage to neutral is that there's a positive position for the shift shaft in the gearcase, while it can rotate some when done in gear and get out of position as you experienced. The only downside is that the propshaft can't be turned to engage the driveshaft so it requires rotating the flywheel by hand or someone bumping the starter.