How to put lower unti in fwd? ( Alpha 1 gen 1)

[m1dn]

Had the unit off for gimbal replacement with boat in fwd.
However when putting back i noticed spinning prop doesn't move the shaft and kicks the gear piece out.
I've tried moving thw small piece that controls gears up/down and turn it.
I get it to lock so prop can't move counter clockwise and upper shaft rotates prop fine.
However when i touch/rotate prop, it won't move the upper shaft and kick gear out.

This makes installing it back very very very frustrating task as you can't move prop to get shaft to align.

What's the trick to get lower unit properly in gear?
And should the prop rotate upper shaft at all?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Turning the shift shaft CW, and rotate the prop CCW will lock it in forward. It has to be held there the entire time it is mated to the bell housing. If you pull hard enough, it will move the input shaft on the upper, but your fighting the friction of the impeller in the drive which makes it tough.

Did you have the drive apart also, or just off the bell housing?

 

[m1dn]

Turning the shift shaft CW, and rotate the prop CCW will lock it in forward. It has to be held there the entire time it is mated to the bell housing. If you pull hard enough, it will move the input shaft on the upper, but your fighting the friction of the impeller in the drive which makes it tough.

Did you have the drive apart also, or just off the bell housing?

Just the drive

 

[achris]

 

[isaacs]

I hook a bungee cord to the prop and wrap it CCW around the hub, then hook it to the drive. This holds the shift shaft in place and gives you a bit of leeway to turn the prop CCW to line up the splines.

 

[Bondo]

I hook a bungee cord to the prop and wrap it CCW around the hub, then hook it to the drive. This holds the shift shaft in place and gives you a bit of leeway to turn the prop CCW to line up the splines.

Ayuh,...... Me too,.......