Augh!! - replaced water pump and now only have foward gear..

[CZSteve]

I just finished replacing the water pump on our 1998 Force 90 (posted here since the lower unit is a Mercury) and now only have forward gear in all shift positions.
We placed the boat in forward before dropping the lower unit and we were very careful to not disturb anything while apart.

Seamed to bolt up relatively easily after just a little wiggling of the shaft splines.
Lower unit was not drained at all yet.

Drop the lower unit again and then what procedures?
Sorry, first time I've done this.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[1nebel0]

Re: Augh!! - replaced water pump and now only have foward gear..

Lots of guys use forward gear... I am spoiled as I use neutral... I have a friend just barely turn the flywheel clockwise to line up the drive shaft..Then while I am holding the lower he lines up the female shift shaft and I slide her up...piece of cake..With one person by leaving it in forward you can turn the prop yourself to line up the splines on the drive shaft mating to the crankshaft...just my 02....

 

[brnschoneck]

Re: Augh!! - replaced water pump and now only have foward gear..

I think nutral is easier ive done it both ways preferably with a helper the splines arent lined up correct ...ITs def.. easier in n all the mechanics even say soo as the shaft doesnt move as easily and lines up better ...

 

[CZSteve]

Re: Augh!! - replaced water pump and now only have foward gear..

Alright; been busy but just dropped the lower unit again and set the lower unit into neutral and re-installed with the shift lever in neutral.

The lower unit is in neutral when the shift lever is in neutral and shifts into the forward just fine. HOWEVER, I'm having trouble with reverse. When I shift into reverse I don't hear / feel the linkage shift in the motor the way I do for forward and then the prop is locked solid and will not turn either direction.
I can shift back into neutral and forward and all is fine; just don't have the 'clunk' sound when going into reverse and the prop locks up.

Help! What am I missing?
Really don't want to drag this thing to a marine tech...

EDIT: A gentleman on another forum replied that it's correct that the prop is locked in both directions when in reverse with the motor off - This sound right?
I didn't want to start it up on muffs and try it yet for fear of damaging the lower unit.