Clink..Clink..Clink..Gear Make this Noise! Why?

[jpdragon]

I have a 3.0L Mercruiser (Maxum 1998). It's make a loud clink..clink..clink.. noise from the lower unit when I put in forward or reverse gear.

What could be the problem?

Sometime I have to repeatedly set Neutral -->Forward-->Neutral-->Forward then the gear kick in.

I am attached a picture shown where I heard the sound.

Any help would greatly appreciated.

[wire2]

Is there excessive play in the shift cable(s)? If so, the dog may not be fully engaged, allowing it the ratchet past. If not, keep looking.

[jerryjerry05]

Sounds like the shift cable could be corroded/old and not letting the shift mechanism to work right.
Remove the drive and check the linkage for excessive play.Then replace the shift cable.J

[jpdragon]

The shift cable is very good shape. I do not see any rusted inside or outside the shift cable. When I shift forward and reverse very easy.

When the engine start, it's hard to put in forward gear. It's doesn't click. I have to try several time and hear a very aggressive noise from the lower unit by the prop.

How should I check for a bad shift cable?

[eclark53520]

How slowly are you shifting into the gear?

You have to be fairly quick and deliberate with the controls otherwise it will click at you.

Give it a very deliberate push into gear and see if it goes in.

[Bond-o]

How should I check for a bad shift cable?

Ayuh,... Take the outdrive Off, 'n inspect the Other end, along with the rest of the linkages....

[jpdragon]

I had try it slow and fast but still making the loud clink sound from the lower unit. When the gear kick in forward, my boat drive at 5MPH. It's hard for me to put it on the trailer. Well, in order words, there is something wrong here and I can't figure out where. Maybe I should take the lower unit apart and inspect the bearing inside.

How slowly are you shifting into the gear?

You have to be fairly quick and deliberate with the controls otherwise it will click at you.

Give it a very deliberate push into gear and see if it goes in.

[eclark53520]

Do you have a tachometer?

The idle might be too high.

[Squab]

Make sure that the adjustment on the starboard riser for the forward and reverse are aqueduct

[tarheelebbtide]

This sounds like it could be one issue to me as well.

Do you have a tachometer?

The idle might be too high.

[jpdragon]

After adjusting the idle to the minimum level. My boat run a little bit better when shifting the gear forward or reverse. It's doesn't make the loud click click noise anymore.

Thank you for everyone helping respond to this topic.

Do you have a tachometer?

The idle might be too high.