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9.9 Kicker sounds loud and clangy after quick fwd to rev shift

M

micaheli

New member
Just as the title says. I shifted from forward to reverse at just above idle. I was starting my motor for the first time the season and for some reason the shifting linkage was adjusted wrong somehow and it didn't give me any neutral ability. Went from forward immediately to reverse. Not sure how that happens, but I have it adjusted to not do that now, however the motor seems really clangy and rattly. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but it sounds like it's coming from the foot. Just above the lower unit. I'm tempted to pull the lower unit, but worried that pulling it off will cause more damage then leaving it on. I have a fishing trip tomorrow or the next day, and really need to know if it's good for a trip. Then I can worry about fixing it for good. Other than the noise, the engine runs great, purrs like a kitten with laryngitis, but runs great. Starts first time, idles well, and I've had it idling for a decent amount of time and pulled some fuel through it. Probably not the best idea with a mechanical clanging noise, but here we are.

Thought? Should I cancel my trip?

Thanks in advance,
Micah
 
I pulled the lower unit and found something quite undesirable. See attachment.

I've begun opening the gearbox to see if there's any more damage inside. So far, with the gears/clutch/dogs that slide out there's been no obvious damage and all shafts appear straight. Haven't found any chunks of metal or shavings.

I also started the engine for a couple seconds just to make sure it sounded good. The engine, sans lower unit sounded perfect, so the noise is definitely in the lower unit.

Thoughts on what's making the noise?

I'll post more pics shortly.
 
I'm not seeing any more damage inside the lower unit. My guess as to what the clangy noise was, is that when the splines bent in the crankshaft/driveshaft splines, it pushed the driveshaft down. Causing a loud meshing of the pinion/ring gears.

Thanks for all of the people who helped with this (HEAVY SARCASM). You've been a massive help. (ALSO SARCASM)


pxl_20240825_222941815_f184c96b5a1eb4c98ea0484ab916f8ab305c77ea.jpg

pxl_20240825_223018505_d23709d1f6e60be45c21f22d7cd35a16c0764a9e.jpg


Regardless, I'll post a follow up when everything is working again......

If you're reading this months/years from now and I haven't, be sure to nag me so that I do.

Thanks,
Micah
 
Only way splines could bend is in in water with load, not on a hose. Post pic of splines. Also pic of pinion gear as it looks like it has a chip or that is oil reside on it.
 
Weird, I thought I already had posted the splines... Here they are.
PXL_20240825_200301124.jpg


The kicker went from sounding normal to sounding loud while on the hose. In my mind it seem more doable to bend splines while on the hose because the water acts as a brake, stopping the prop before going into the opposing gear. While on the hose, there's nothing but momentum and the reversing of the prop shaft would be more of a harsh motion. But, I'm no expert.
 
My guess is splines previous damaged as the pinion rotates same direction all the time. Clutch dog position determines prop rotation and cannot hang up in both gears. Prop had to come to locked stop for torque to twist splines, shifting it on a hose wont do it as no load on prop other than air. Maybe a object got caught between cav plate and prop or hit something once. Prop looks pretty new also.
 
@faztbullet

That prop is super not new. :) It's pitted and looks like somebody painted it silver.

Also, I didn't mean to say that it was in both forward and reverse at the same time. I could have said that better. I just mean that the linkage at the motor/tiller handle was adjusted so that there wasn't any detent at the neutral position and it went directly from forward to reverse with no noticeable neutral position. It was above idle, I can't remember how high though. Clearly high enough to do some real damage.

Now I'm trying to assess what needs to be replaced. At minimum the driveshaft/main bearing (and will need to have that pressed on at a shop), but perhaps also the pinion. Everything else seems perfect. That sound about right? What else would you replace?
 
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