Prop makes "clank" sound when shifting gears.

[DunbarLtd]

88 bayliner Force 85hp with 17p prop.
Runs fine and shift cables are in good working condition and "adjusted" as much as I know how to.
Last trip out I was hearing some odd clanking sound when i shifted gears into forward. It sounds like if you tapped a big screwdriver onto a prop blade. Like that "DING" sound. I did not hear it in reverse IIRC. Seems like its not adjusted properly.

When I trim the outboard up and rest it on its support bar and spin the prop i can feel the clutch dog rubbing on the gearset just ever so slightly. Trimmed down - no rubbing

Prop looks fine. No play on the prop as the nut is torqued well. The boat shifts into gear just fine.

Perhaps the shift cables need fine tuning and is cause of the noise?

Anyone have any idea whats going on and what to check/test?

 

[Scott Danforth]

are you shifting in water or on land with muffs?

if on-land, that is the sound of the dog clutches banging into gear.

 

[jerryjerry05]

You take the prop off? and then loose a part??
Missing a spacer??
Gear oil full?

 

[DunbarLtd]

This is when shifting in water with trim down. Ive adjusted the barrel nut on the shift cable at the engine and recentered the clutch dog best i could. I dont hear the dog catching the gear anymore. Motor is trimmed up on the trailer.

I assume the clutch dog is supposed to sit dead center between forward and reverse?

Maybe my idle rpm is too high?

 

[puffitu]

I’ve had similar issue and what I did is adjusted the shift pin; meaning it screws in and out. With mine the sweet spot is at about 2.5 turns out. It was making a clanking sound before catching reverse and after adjustment it’s like butter.

 

[DunbarLtd]

I’ve had similar issue and what I did is adjusted the shift pin; meaning it screws in and out. With mine the sweet spot is at about 2.5 turns out. It was making a clanking sound before catching reverse and after adjustment it’s like butter.

Seems to be the case here as well. I dont remember how many turns out or in it was but I just went by feel and found center of the clutch dog and got the barrel nut as close to that position as i could and its shifting quiet now.