Ruh-Roh… a new gear case may be in order

[JimDirt]

First fishing trip of the year. Hit a damn rock. Good thing I was only going about 12-15 mph, but it F’ed up the gear case and ruined the prop. I was on part of the lake that I had never been. There was an island that had some hazard markers at the opposite side of where I was. But I swung it wide anyway, and I was at least 75 yards from the island and BAM! Anyone have a good place for replacement parts besides eBay? My buddy that was a long time marine mechanic, after seeing these pics, says that I can probably repair this one. I can weld aluminum. When I got back to the dock I realized that I couldn’t get reverse. I’m not too familiar with the mechanical workings in the gear case, but I’m sure there isn’t much room in there and I’m thinking that the case being smashed in is probably why I have no reverse. Idk… maybe?

 

[racerone]

The motor goes into reverse with a DOWN motion of the shift rod.-----The shift rod needs to go down right where the gearcase was smashed.----Hence it will not go all the way down to get reverse.----Time for another gearcase I think.----Your location ?

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, that is bad luck. I hit a rock at 35mph and only snapped off the skeg, which was lucky.

Sterndrive Engineering (SEI) makes replacement gearcases for popular Johnnyrudes.

 

[JimDirt]

The motor goes into reverse with a DOWN motion of the shift rod.-----The shift rod needs to go down right where the gearcase was smashed.----Hence it will not go all the way down to get reverse.----Time for another gearcase I think.----Your location ?

That makes sense. I'm in Idaho. I'll get it apart probably sometime this week and make an assessment. May have to cut out the smashed part and weld in a new piece. Have you seen that done before? A quick ebay search and I see 2 gearcases complete for $2400 and up

 

[racerone]

I have seen that damage before.------Got a freebie gearcase like that from the scrap bin at a dealer.----Salvaged some parts and gearcase was $.60 / lb.----These are precision parts and the bearing housing at the front MUST be located exactly where it was.----Welding may distort where the bearing housing would locate.-----You are too far away ( including a border ) for me to help.----The $2400 is triple what is fair in my opinion.

 

[airshot]

In the great lakes area, there are a number of boat salvage yards. Better off getting a nice used lower unit, even if the engine is trashed, a good housing is easier to rebuild.

 

[JimDirt]

I haven’t got the gear case off yet. It’s ready to come off but I had to split for a couple hours.
This is not good so far.

When I bought this boat the skeg was already busted and the prop was in pristine condition. Maybe they busted it up, changed the prop, saw that twisted shaft and decided to sell it?

 

[racerone]

I have a few with twisted propshafts myself.----Pick them up at dealers for parts.----Due to competition manufacturers are saving money with weaker materials.-----Gears are likely no good either.-----If you reuse the gears your boat may suffer a " dynamic halt " with no warning.

 

[Mc Tool]

We have a lake here , part of the hydro power scheme , and when the lake is real low there are rocks close to the surface waaaaaaay out from the shore . There is a red bouy attached to said rocks which sticks out of the water at low levels . You'd be stunned at how many peeps went over to see what the deal was with the bouy . One thing I noticed was that those with ally props usually munted the prop , those with stainless props bent the prop shaft and or did internal damage ...... as well as munting the prop

 

[Mc Tool]

I have a few with twisted propshafts myself.----Pick them up at dealers for parts.----Due to competition manufacturers are saving money with weaker materials.-----Gears are likely no good either.-----If you reuse the gears your boat may suffer a " dynamic halt " with no warning.

Ha ha , dynamic halt , thats up there with the kinetic spanner

 

[JimDirt]

I'm trying to look up parts. Not having much luck. Or more like not confident in what I'm finding. When I look on a parts site for evinrude parts, the model year always stops at 2012. My motor mfg date in 05/13 so I'm thinking that it's a 2013. And my model number never comes up as a choice. My model is E40DTLABA The closest thing that I've found is a 2102 E40DTLINM

Edit: I used 2013 BRP and found my model.

 

[Faztbullet]

Call your insurance company and get a new OEM

 

[JimDirt]

I think this is a lost cause. The prop shaft won’t come out. I think it’s due to the damage at the nose of the case. I’m not %100 on this but I think moving the shifter in to F or R facilitates the shaft coming out. So I’m gonna put the cover back on the boat and keep an eye out for a used case.

 

[racerone]

You have to remove the 2 big snap rings.------Reverse gear will fall out.------Then remove pinion nut.----Then remove driveshaft.----Then propshaft might come out.

 

[JimDirt]

You have to remove the 2 big snap rings.------Reverse gear will fall out.------Then remove pinion nut.----Then remove driveshaft.----Then propshaft might come out.

Ya I did all that. My good buddy who lives on the other side of the country now, was a marine tech for about 30 years. He has been walking me thru this tear down.

 

[racerone]

I believe you are " golden " then-----Sorry for comparing your posted pictures , with the struggle you are having.----This gearcase issue is an easy fix in my opinion.----No need for my input on this.

 

[JimDirt]

I believe you are " golden " then-----Sorry for comparing your posted pictures , with the struggle you are having.----This gearcase issue is an easy fix in my opinion.----No need for my input on this.

I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. What makes it an easy fix? Buying a replacement? According to the manual ya have to push down on the shift rod and the prop shaft will come out. Therein lies the problem. The damage to the case won’t allow the shift rod to go down. Which, as I explained in the OP, I had no reverse after the incident. I guess I could start cutting out the damaged area? Hoping not to cut into something important on the inside

 

[racerone]

Did you read post #2 ??----Yes, a hacksaw is required.---Pinion / forward gear are scrap.----Propshaft is scrap.-----Yes, the housing is scrap.----Bearing / shift housing is scrap.----I have all the parts to fix something like that.---Which makes it easy for me.

 

[Mc Tool]

Huh , I didnt see no mention of a hacksaw in post #2.
Anyhow I think that your in the " got nothing to loose dept" now . Try persuading that shift rod to see things your way (whatever you do dont use a hammer ) it might knock the obstruction out of the way .
I like to get to the bottom of the issue ......even if its pointless.To just bin it doesnt teach you anything
Im from New Zealand and things sure are different here ,some of these guys seem a bit precious , I aint saying they dont know their apples

 

[JimDirt]

Well, good for you, racerone.