'89 85HP Force L-Drive jerks once on acceleration

[gmcmsm]

It jerks as if it were slipping a gear. I'm starting to feel an occasional "jerk" or "miss" while cruising. The motor seems to be running smoothly. Maybe a gear problem or spark/ignition problem?

 

[Baldguy]

Re: '89 85HP Force L-Drive jerks once on acceleration

Clutch dog would be my guess...my old "L" drive did that on occasion.

 

[roscoe]

Re: '89 85HP Force L-Drive jerks once on acceleration

Likely a worn clutchdog in the lower unit.<br />It gets worn and will jump like that.<br />Maybe it can be removed and installed backward, so the slightly worn side is used to engage reverse, and the unworn side would be used for forward. Or you can take it to a machine shop and have the face recut to square.