96 model Cobra SX shift shaft question

[byson2]

I was changing the outdrive oil today and it came out milky. After doing a pressure test I’ve found a leak at the shift shaft seal. That should be an easy enough repair.
However, I noticed that when the outdrive is put into forward or reverse, the shaft extends out approx 1/8-1/4” and then retracts when put into neutral. Hopefully the pictures will show this. Is this correct?

 

[dypcdiver]

Do a YouTube search there is a video about rebuilding it.

 

[byson2]

I unbolted the housing and it appears that is how it should operate. The shift mechanism has indentions to hold it in neutral, forward and reverse.

 

[Horigan]

Correct. It translates in and out during shifting.

Is that a fill hose going to the oil level port? On my drive (SX-M) you're supposed to fill from the drain plug with a pump until fluid comes out the oil level port that you have the hose in.

 

[byson2]

Horigan, that's a very crude device that I used to pressure test the unit. I put a schrader valve on the other end so I could pump in some air. While not ideal, it showed me the leaking seal when I sprayed some soapy water there. I will be filling from the bottom up. Thanks

 

[Lubak572]

Did you have any problems with the pressure test? I can barely get mine to come off zero on the guage pumping it. It works fine when I pump it with my hand on the hose. Neither of my drives seem to build any pressure. 1 drive had a little water in it so I changed the prop shaft seals and o-rings on the lower housing. The other drive looked fine when i changed oil. I also sprayed drive with soapy water while trying to pump it with air and didn't see or hear leaks or bubbles. Confused!

 

[byson2]

Lubak572.....It should build pressure. Make sure the dipstick is on tight and either the drain or fill plug are too. If the outdrives are still on the boat you could have a leaking input (ujoint driveshaft) seal, in which case you would not be able to check that without pulling the outdrive. Good luck.

 

[Lubak572]

My drives are off on the stands. I guess ican change the dipstick- o-rings. They both look fine.