Did I damage my shift shaft?

[Jeklund]

I'm replacing the trim senders on my pre alpha drive. I've got everything apart and am just about to reattach the sterndrive to the housing. When I was taking the drive off I did make the mistake of leaving it in neutral while trying to get it off. I didn't bang it around anything drastic while trying to remove it before I put it into forward and got the drive off. I've now noticed though now that the little guide on the bottom does not sit straight forward. It's my understanding that it had to be straight forward to reattach the drive Is there a way to align the shaft so it sits forward? or have I potentially damaged something taking it off? Nothing seems bent or damaged but I don't really want to force it on. I wasn't able to try getting the drive on today as I got rained out. I've attached a picture below for reference.

 

[stonyloam]

If your control is WOT forward, the shift shaft should be pointed straight forward. Looks like yours may be bent.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Your in neutral not forward

 

[Jeklund]

I have the shift lever in forward gear. Should the lever be in a different position? I was able to slide it out of the groove in-between but think that it's not in the right position.

I managed to get the stern unit on today but am struggling with the last inch sliding in. Is there anything that would prevent it from going in? I have a feeling it's something to do with the gear selection as it's similar to the problem I had with it coming off.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Listen up, the shift cable is in neutral, not fwd. You might have the control box lever all the way fwd but you did not shift the lower cable into fwd.
If fwd the shoe must be in a straight line.

 

[Bt Doctur]

http://vid57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/BtDoctur/DSCN2491_zpsea1cc235.mp4

 

[Jeklund]

Thank you for the video. I suppose what I'm running into is that the control lever is not moving smoothly back and forth. Is there any checks I can make that might be preventing it from sliding easily?

 

[Bt Doctur]

The lower shift cable should move as in the video, very easy and no binding.Disconnect it from the shift plate and see how it moves.Hard or binding, then it needs replacing. Coupler alignment should be checked with the alignment tool to insure long life of the coupler. In fwd with good alignment the drive will literally push on.

 

[stonyloam]

Make sure that your throttle only button is not depressed, and the dr is giving great advice.

 

[Jeklund]

Make sure that your throttle only button is not depressed, and the dr is giving great advice.

This was it, I was thinking it was in forward but had the button depressed. I should be able to get the drive on later today. Thanks for your help everyone.

 

[stonyloam]

Ha! Been there, done that. Glad to see that someone else can learn from my mistakes