cnewton700
Member
96 Mercruiser 4.3LX 6cly vortec 262cid alpha one gen two
last month I removed the lower unit only to replace impeller. working alone I had trouble re-installing the unit. was advised to remove upper unit, connect the two then re-install. using a floor jack, I was able to do that and was pleased my water circulation problem was no more. so was ready to launch for the first time. started up, idled and went through no wake zone ok. under load vibrated, ran rough, obvious problem so crawled back to dock. I thought maybe loose prop or gimbal bearing so again I came back here asking for help locating the problem. almost all responses required removing the out-drive which is what I'm having a problem with. I bought an engine hoist since I'm doing it alone. I ruled out a lack of gear lube / not filling it correctly. I drained the out-drive today and recovered approx. two quarts of clean lube, no water, no debris or metal shavings on the magnetized drain screw. I removed the prop and found nothing wrong with it, the shaft, splines... I put the remote in forward, attached the crane, removed both trim arms and the six nuts. I adjusted the crane until I could wiggle the out-drive enough to be sure it wasn't hanging up on any of the six bolts. it's loose enough to shake sideways and up and down but it doesn't want to separate. what else could be holding it together? what am I missing?
last month I removed the lower unit only to replace impeller. working alone I had trouble re-installing the unit. was advised to remove upper unit, connect the two then re-install. using a floor jack, I was able to do that and was pleased my water circulation problem was no more. so was ready to launch for the first time. started up, idled and went through no wake zone ok. under load vibrated, ran rough, obvious problem so crawled back to dock. I thought maybe loose prop or gimbal bearing so again I came back here asking for help locating the problem. almost all responses required removing the out-drive which is what I'm having a problem with. I bought an engine hoist since I'm doing it alone. I ruled out a lack of gear lube / not filling it correctly. I drained the out-drive today and recovered approx. two quarts of clean lube, no water, no debris or metal shavings on the magnetized drain screw. I removed the prop and found nothing wrong with it, the shaft, splines... I put the remote in forward, attached the crane, removed both trim arms and the six nuts. I adjusted the crane until I could wiggle the out-drive enough to be sure it wasn't hanging up on any of the six bolts. it's loose enough to shake sideways and up and down but it doesn't want to separate. what else could be holding it together? what am I missing?
