Shift Linkage Adjustment

[GLF]

Does anyone know the procedure for shift linkage adjustment on a Mercury Alpha Drive?

[silver one]

I dont know right off hand but I have complete schematics and parts listings and adjustment procedures in my manual. The silver one has an alpha drive and after running an omc on the old super tramp I beleve this is a good unit. Never had a problem with mine. I also belive there is a micro switch on the cable that sits right on top of the engine that is suppose to read neutral before it allows the dog clutch to engage. This is the only common problem I know of with either the alpha or the bravo series outdrive. If you want to borrow my manual on merc outdrives, let me know and ill bring it in to work.

[huntingfool43]

Try this http://www.mercstuff.com/images/shiftcable.jpg

[GLF]

Thanks for the link Steve. I had some free time and went and looked at the boat again, and discovered the shift linkage is not the problem. By looking at it, I am guessing the problem is where the outdrive shaft slides into the gimbal assembly(does this sound correct?). The shaft is not turning, but the gimbal assembly(or whatever it is called) is spinning.

I have some more searching to do so I can get a better understanding of everything.

Any help???

[GLF]

OK.....I have searched through some pictures. It is not the gimbal assembly. It is the engine coupler. The outside of the coupler spins and the outdrive shaft does not.

[huntingfool43]

I think they are splined together, if so you tore the spines out would be my guess. If by chance they are just keyed you may have just sheered the key which would be cheaper. This is the same drive that had the beat up prop right? I know when I took the splines out of my stinger outdrive it broke at half throtle and rummbled a lot. I had no forward or reverse but could idle in gear without much noise.

[GLF]

This is the same drive the had the beat up prop. It is splined. I hope when the engineered it, they designed the coupler to give out before the shaft.

[huntingfool43]

Mike

Try this link, it might help you figure out what broke.

http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/i_need_help_page.html

[GLF]

I see Mercury recommends this be greased every 50 hours. I wonder when the last time this one saw some grease....

Whats easier? Pull the outdrive and change, or slide the engine foreward and change?

[GLF]

Mike

Try this link, it might help you figure out what broke.

http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/i_need_help_page.html

Thats not it Steve. The shaft of the outdrive slides into the engine coupler. Here is a picture of the coupler.

http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/engine_coupler.html

[fishslayer1963]

Thats not it Steve. The shaft of the outdrive slides into the engine coupler. Here is a picture of the coupler.

http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/engine_coupler.html
i would most definatetly have this inspected.You know for sure all the problems are in the side with the damaged prop.This a nice looking rig are you using it just for pleasure boating?

[GLF]

i would most definatetly have this inspected.You know for sure all the problems are in the side with the damaged prop.This a nice looking rig are you using it just for pleasure boating?

This will mostly be a fishing boat.

[huntingfool43]

Mike
A survey would be your best bet. I am suprized they left that beat up prop on their for you to see. Did they say how it happened? I would make me nervous what they hit and what other damage was done. With a survey you would have a better idea if they damaged any stringers or other structural members that are going to cost you big time in the near future to fix. Good luck.

[GLF]

The boat has been looked over by a marine mechanic(not theirs). The stringers and the transom are in good shape. There is no damage to either skag on the lower units.

I have been doing some checking on the net, and I am seeing that the engine coupler is known to go out in I/O's The inner teeth of the coupler are aluminum. This is something that should be greased once a year, or every 100 hrs. Some after market engine couplers come with a grease fitting, so you do not have to pull the drive to do it.

[Priority1]

There is a special spline grease to use on these, that hangs in there a lot longer than regular marine grease. I put grease on the male splines when I pull the outdrive, and also grease the zerk once a yr on my Alpha1. I have a Seloc manual that I bought @ Overstock.com that is worth it's weight in gold. The manuals are less than $30. If you need any help let me know.:)