Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

[cool hand]

If anyone can help or offer advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Here's my sad story...

Yes, I know the dreaded Yamaha Sterndrive is better to be used as a boat anchor than moving a boat, but its what I have, and I think it should not be that hard to fix.

Since day one of purchasing this particular boat I've had what I thought were shift cable issues. The first time, (July 08) it would not go into first, only neutral and reverse. I had a shop fix it and they told me they replaced the shift cable. The 2nd time it got stuck in reverse (may 09), and I a different shop (the same one I purchased it from, where I do most of my business) told me that a set screw was loose and that was all that was needed. This most recent time (July 09) it would not go in reverse at all. I decided I was going to investigate the issue my self. I've rebuilt manual transmissions and rearends in my race cars and figured how hard could it be. So I pulled the sterndrive off and the shift arm between the cable and the lever which engages the FWD/REV lever was cracked. Ordered a new one and it is still the same issue. It seems that the lever will go both ways, but REV is pretty hard to get into. I'm guessing I broke that lever trying to force it.

So here I am, broken hearted and distressed. I've got the stern drive in 2, and an owners manual in the mail, but I'm beginning to weight my options.

I know parts are limited, but everything appears to be in good working order other than changing prop shaft rotation. Anyone ever dealt with these things before?

Thanks
-Luke

 

[jtybt]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

The only one I know of that has Yamaha parts is Cpt Ken. Maybe he'll show up. You might be able to google him in reference to the Yamaha drives.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

Try this:

http://www.nelsonmarineservice.com

 

[ricovw]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

i had stiff shifting in mine (Yammie L4). There is a fork inside the leg that shifts from f/n/r. The exhaust blows past that fork and dries all the grease, making the fork dry and stiff to move. This could be part of your problem. I found a post about that, and it said to drill the holes that hold the fork in place oversize by 1/16 or so. I had stiff shifting, even to the point where i was going to replace the cable because the shift interrupter switch kept stalling the motor. I did this, and it was dead smooth again. If you have you leg off, you should be able to toggle the fork in and out of gear. If it is stiff, you know your problem.
By the way, i love the yammie leg. Other than this problem, i have had no issues, and i had no problem getting parts (seals) when i had it apart. I think it is a great drive, and it looks nicer than the merc legs.
I hope this helps!!

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

Got him, he has his hands full.

 

[cool hand]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

Capt Ken is the man. I'm wishing now that I'd just called him before I got as deep as I am now in this project.

 

[cool hand]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

Back from the dead. Looking for these tools, but I'm afraid I know my answer.

YB-34447 Ring nut wrench
YB-6207 Yamaha bearing housing puller attachment
YB-6201 yamaha drive shaft holding tool
YB-34449 yamaha tool driveshaft puller
YB-38226 Yamaha drive hear and spacer/reverse gear shim gauge
YB-34446 yamaha forward gear shim selecting tool
YB-38220 yamaha lower pinion shimming tool
YB-6265 back lash indicator gauge

Capt. Ken, you have a PM.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

Capt. Ken, you have a PM.

Ayuh,... Click on the Nelson Marine link above,+ email him,...

 

[Don S]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

If Ken can't help you, you might contact K&L Supply (see link below), they are the ones that manufacture the special tools for Yamaha.

http://www.klsupply.com/ContactInfo/tabid/136/Default.aspx

 

[cool hand]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

I did email aswell.

 

[triman]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

I had similar problems with gradually losing the ability to go into astern/reverse on a 5.7 Yamaha.
Go to
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Drive/0/INTER_DRIVE_1990/LOWER DRIVE 1/parts.html

and look at the exploded parts diagram.
Item No 68, the shifter, should slide freely into and out of the bearings, item No 37.
In my case this was tight. We took the merest smidgin off the outer forward end of the shifter and since doing that we have had no problems whatsoever in having full control over the gears.

 

[cool hand]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

Thanks for the tip.

My issue currently is getting bearing housing (#57) out without the appropriate puller. Do you have the actual Yamaha bearing housing puller attachment or where you able to do this without it?

 

[triman]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

Thanks for the tip.

My issue currently is getting bearing housing (#57) out without the appropriate puller. Do you have the actual Yamaha bearing housing puller attachment or where you able to do this without it?

We just used a normal slide hammer, with a couple of jury-rigged gripping things, to pull the housing. The nut, #63, wouldn't budge so it was drilled in 4 places and removed in pieces then the judicious use of the slide hammer got the housing and the rest of the bits out.

Cheers

 

[cool hand]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

Never was able to get the bearing housing pulled out. Currently in the process of getting it shipped to Capt. Ken.

 

[cool hand]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive (Yes I know I might be up a creek..)

For the record, a complete yamaha sterndrive minus the prop in a flimsy box weights 107lbs.