9.9 hp Johnson 1996 - Prop & Prop shaft pulls away from housing 5/8"-1"

[Ship Designer]

Couple of problems with Johnson outboard:
I have a 96 9.9 Johnson that won't go into reverse. Bought the boat/motor in Arkansas & don't have much history on how much it was used. Before I bought the motor, we cranked it with only a few pulls. However, it wasn't peeing so when I got home I ordered parts and changed the Waterpump. Because it's a kicker motor on an 18' boat, it has a long shaft (guess that's what it's called). I call it 2 intermediate housings. The prop & prop shaft seems to move 5/8"-1" or more away from the housing and seems like it's going to come completely off the motor. I realize I just gave you 2 problems, but I thought they may be associated. After changing the Waterpump I launched the boat and ran the motor for 15 minutes. It pushed the boat good, but wouldn't shift into reverse. Got any ideas?
Terry

 

[flyingscott]

Bad bearings will cause the prop shaft to move that far.

 

[racerone]

Seems farfetched but maybe the reverse gear is not installed.-------Best to take it apart NOW !

 

[thumbnut]

I just had mine apart..well couple months ago anyway...I think in reverse the prop shaft splines rest against the reverse gear. The reverse gear has a bushing inside of it. Even though I think the spline diameter is larger than the reverse gear bushing it could have worn or catastrophically got pulled inside of the reverse gear if run in reverse alot. Maybe...

 

[racerone]

Does reverse gear have a bushing in a 1996 9.9 hp model ??