Expert: Everett Peacock - 6/12/2011

Question
QUESTION: I replaced the bellows on my 1989 alpha one. When I went to move the shifter back to neutral it would not go, seems like it is stuck. The out-drive went back together fairly easy, however it did take some pressure on the six bolts to pull together. Did I do something wrong? I guess I will have to remove the out drive again?

Also, both trim units screws twisted off and broke and are still in there. If I am very careful about trimming are these required or will I have to drill out and rethread?

ANSWER: pull drive back off... put boat in forward, put the drive in forward...the shift arm should face forward...re install drive and make sure when you do that the shift arm goes in the cradle when installing it...

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QUESTION: OK, fell kinda stupid. I did this and after fighting for 3 hours with the bellows finally got it back together. Now, the shifter cable moves back and forth fine, however it does not shift into reverse or forward. It seems as though it is moving back and forth with no issues, but it is not engaging on anything, I can hear it in the cradle moving but again nothing is engaging.

As a note; the motor was trimmed up when I started it the first time, I could hear a clanking noise, propeller was spinning, definitely not good. I shut it off, lowered the front of the boat and trimmed it down all the way, the clanking stopped, propeller was not spinning and the shift into reverse or forward produced nothing.

ANSWER: you have to align the two units..the upper shaft cradle and the splines on the shift shaft..

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QUESTION: I took the drive out and the Shift Shaft Coupler was sheared off, i have the piece and I can see the piece inside the drive. I assume I have to take the complete drive apart to replace this?

Not too much use so far this summer.:(

Answer
with the drive off you have to make sure the roller in in the correct position on the shift slide.  it sounds like you missed it...the coupler should just slide over the splines of the shift shaft...it is stainless and i don't think the shift shaft is broken...you will have to be able to move the shift shaft to forward and then set the coupler straight when install in the coupler..