lOWER UNIT BAD?? ADJUSTABLE? 86 FORCE 125

[gutterman33]

i jUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A 1986 BAYLINER CAPRI WITH A 125 FORCE MOTOR
WHEN I SHIFT INTO FORWARD IT GRINDS FIRST SAME IN REVERSE, AFTER THE GRIND IT`S FINE, ALSO TURNING LEFT IS A LIITLE MORE DIFFICULT THAN TURNING RIGHT??DOES IT SOUND LIKE AN ADJUSTMENT OR A BAD LOWER UNIT?
IS THERE A WAY TO TEST IT MYSELF?

 

[gussbuster]

Re: lOWER UNIT BAD?? ADJUSTABLE? 86 FORCE 125

what kind of grind are we talking about? a bit of grinding when shifting is normal due to no clutch. there is adjustment for the lower unit...usually on the right side of the motor leg about mid way up, but doesnt sound like it is out of adjustment. as for harder turning.....it will always be harder to turn one way than the other (in the water, under power) because of the prop spinning in the water, so unless its really bad and the grinding is prolonged, i wouldnt worry about it. hope this helps

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: lOWER UNIT BAD?? ADJUSTABLE? 86 FORCE 125

You cannot ease the lower unit into gear. You must quickly snap the handle forward about 1/3 of its travel. This is because there is no "clutch" so to speak. The gears each have three dogs (projections about 1/4 inch high) on them and the sliding "dog clutch" also has three dogs on each side. Because these dogs are positively engaged, if you ease the handle forward they will chatter against each other until they mate enough to lock up. Easing into gear wears the dogs and rounds the edges until they reach the point where they will bounce out of engagement while running to the tune of a loud thumping and lots of money being spent.