1989 85hp removed lower gear pivot screw

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MillerIsTall

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Aug 10, 2021
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While changing lower gear oil on my 1989 85HP force outboard, I removed the pivot screw because it was labeled "drain plug". The prop got moved and now the pin screw won't go back in, it's being stopped by something. What's the solution? Any videos on the fix?
 
stresspoint

stresspoint

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perseverance ! it will go back in, just wiggle stuff around till it locates again , i used a small pointy screw driver instead of the pin / screw when i made the same mistake 20 years ago :) ,iv had to help several people since that have done the same , there is always taking the gear box apart to relocate it if you cant get it , last option..

:) your not the first and wont be the last to do that trick ,so don't feel so bad.
 
topgun3690

topgun3690

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Might get lucky and get it back in.......but most have had to take the gear box apart to fix it. Long ago I had a screwdriver on that screw, thinking it was the drain plug.....but figured it out before screwing the pooch. Many have done it.....not the end of the world....just a lot of extra work.
 
jerryjerry05

jerryjerry05

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Your chances of that screw just sliding back in are slim to NONE!!
You'll probably need to disassemble it and then it will go back in.
When I started working on outboards back in 1986 I did that.
But realized it wasn't a drain plug and put the screw right back in, didn't hurt anything but my ego.
Good luck.
 
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racerone

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37,833
Remove lower unit.----Lay it on a workbench.----Use a strong flashlight.----See if you can find the hole in the shifter.----Gently move the shift rod.-----If you get it to line up , run and buy a lottery ticket.
 
stresspoint

stresspoint

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MillerIsTall said:
OK, so how do I go about taking this gearbox out? Going to need a puller?
Click to expand...
as posted by racerone , laying the unit on its side is the go ,when you see the locating area , jiggle the shift rod use a pointy screw driver to line up to get the pin /screw in.
it is tedious and frustrating but you will get it , FWIW , the last one i did took me a while , i walked away and left it , came back to it and within 5 min "click" and it lined up.

being an old LU it is probably corroded , so avoid taking it apart until you have no other option. because you really don't want to open that can of worms.
 
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MillerIsTall

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Joined
Aug 10, 2021
Messages
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stresspoint said:
perseverance ! it will go back in, just wiggle stuff around till it locates again , i used a small pointy screw driver instead of the pin / screw when i made the same mistake 20 years ago :) ,iv had to help several people since that have done the same , there is always taking the gear box apart to relocate it if you cant get it , last option..

:) your not the first and wont be the last to do that trick ,so don't feel so b
Click to expand...

stresspoint said:
as posted by racerone , laying the unit on its side is the go ,when you see the locating area , jiggle the shift rod use a pointy screw driver to line up to get the pin /screw in.
it is tedious and frustrating but you will get it , FWIW , the last one i did took me a while , i walked away and left it , came back to it and within 5 min "click" and it lined up.

being an old LU it is probably corroded , so avoid taking it apart until you have no other option. because you really don't want to open that can of worms.
Click to expand...
I just took the lower unit off and laid it on its side put a flashlight to the hole and it was already lined up, I love you guys so much! Thanks bunches!
 
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