87, 50 hp Force, Won't go into gear.

[for true]

Trying to troubleshoot why the engine won't go into gear.

Checked the linkage to the engine. Everything is working fine there.

Before I detached the lower unit. I could spin the prop in both directions even when it was shifted into forward or reverse. It was like it was constantly in neutral. Not sure if this is normal or not?

I then made sure that the prop hub was not spun. All good there.

Drained the lower unit first. Very milky. Not good.

Removed the lower unit, checked that the gear shift rod is moving up & down when put into forward or reverse. It was moving correctly.

Now, with the draft shaft down into the lower unit, I can spin the shaft with my hand and the prop shaft spins.

Not sure where to go from here. I haven't taken apart the 2 sections of the lower unit yet. I was able to remove the bearing cage, but I can't pull the bearings off for some reason. I would just pull the whole gear housing out, but it happens to be blocked by one of the nuts holding the 2 sections together. That I can't remove because of the bearings still attached.

Any thoughts as to where the problem is? Is it in the lower unit within the gears? Or is it up in the power head area where the drive shaft is spun?

Thanks,
for true

[for true]

bump.

Any thoughts? help?

thanks,
for true

[WillyBWright]

The driveshaft splines go into the crankshaft. If the splines in the crankshaft are bad, so will the splines on the driveshaft. I've never really known that to happen. My guess is that the shift fork has come out of the yoke down in the gearcase bullet. Had you mistakenly removed the phillips head pivot screw to drain it, that would happen. Otherwise it's a pretty unusual occurrance.

[for true]

The driveshaft splines go into the crankshaft. If the splines in the crankshaft are bad, so will the splines on the driveshaft. I've never really known that to happen. My guess is that the shift fork has come out of the yoke down in the gearcase bullet. Had you mistakenly removed the phillips head pivot screw to drain it, that would happen. Otherwise it's a pretty unusual occurrance.

Thanks Willy,

I did not remove that pivot screw until after I removed the lower unit. I've put it back in now. I will keep looking and hopefully will be able to remove the gear casing from the lower unit this week. That might shed a little light on it. It's just weird though. I had wondered if it was what I've read referred to as the "clutch dog?" Is that the same as the shift fork?

Thanks!