Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

[Motor_head_53]

'87 four winns 16' mercruiser 3.0l w/alpha 1 gen 1.

Last week my wife was trailering my boat and could not get the boat into forward I thought it was the shift cable but I checked that out then I checked the out drive and it shifts fine. So I put it all back together and everything was working I ran it on muffs it shifted in and out of gear with out a problem. Until I went to go out today? Now it will not go into forward, reverse works. So I read through the manual and it said that the sliding clutch is a common wear part. Has anyone else had a problem with this. Could it be the gear it's self?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

could be the cable is not adjusted correctly.

 

[Motor_head_53]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

I don't think so because the out drive is shifted is shifting in with out a problem.

 

[Don S]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

HOw do you know it's shifting all the way into gear if it isn't going into gear? You might see the cable end move, but how do you know it's moving anything in the drive the proper amount?

 

[Motor_head_53]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

I am feeling the shift shaft and it is pointed straight forward

 

[Don S]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

Did you have the lower unit off to change the impeller or anything? While the dog clutch may be a wear part, when it wears, it just causes it to pop out of gear when there is a load on it. Not completely loose forward. You would at least hear it trying to go into gear.

 

[Motor_head_53]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

Ok I undid the motor side of the shift cable that goes from the motor to the out drive. and I pushed it all the way in then started the motor and it sounded like it was trying to shift so I reached around the stern drive and moved the shift shaft into forward. there is just to much play in the cable to push the shifter. I pulled the outdrive( I am getting good at this) and checked that end of the shift cable. With out moving the motor side of the cable I can move the outdrive side a good inch. Would anyone else say that the cable is toast or is that normal?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

listen a 21 year old cable i've heard of them to stretch a tad bit.my post was could be not adjusted correctly.could be toast.i just didn't think it was the dog.

 

[Motor_head_53]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

Yeah I have moved past my theory of the dog clutch because if I manually move the shift shaft it will go into gear. So I tried to adjust the cable and it still was not working. So I by past any and all adjustments and undid the cable and pushed the cable in as far as it would go and it still was not far enough.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

could have been alot worse.new cable for that i don't know what it's gonna set your wallet back.but the cable is available everywhere.good luck

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Sliding clutch/Dog clutch?

Replace the cable then you can go boating.Jerry