Secrets Behind Mercury Shift Shaft Alignment

[@jasonbray9690]

You are literally a life saver. I could t find this info ANYWHERE I looked and you most likely saved me hundreds. I pulled mine apart and changed my impeller while it was in forward. I slapped it all back together just to find out my 5 year old decided to play driver and WOW that was a nightmare to figure out until your video. Thank you!

[@RetrieverRidge]

Glad I could help

[@jimmyjordan6442]

Thank you for this information - all in a short, easy to understand, clearly illustrated 4 minute clip. Assembling everything in neutral worked best for me.

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@jimmyjordan6442 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@tonyj3252]

The reason you're meant to leave it in forward is because it allows the shift shaft lever to line up with the receptacle (which is also in forward). If your shifter is in forward (from the cable) and your gear is in forward (displayed here) then both will align pointing in the same plane as your are sliding the out drive back on. This is necessary if the whole outdrive is removed. Additionally you can turn the prop to align the driveshaft splines. If you're just popping the lower unit on an already attached upper to transom/gimbal then you don't have the driveshaft to engine spline alignment to worry about, only the lower drive shaft to upper gear alignment. You're might get lucky and slide right in but you still have the issue of having the shift cable position matching the lower rod. Another point of having it in full forward is that you know you're maxed out in one direction of movement so you won't end up in the situation where instead of being able to adjust the lower rod from say 0 to 90 degrees relative to the direction of travel you might be setting yourself up for a -25 to 65 degree position which not only won't get you fully into either reverse or forward but it will be trying to rotate the lower rod beyond its limit. If you're upper is already on the boat then you could do it with lower and upper in reverse but it's just easier if everyone always does forward since it works in both instances.

[@charlieporter9886]

Such a simple explanation has solved all my problems, thank you sir

[@RetrieverRidge]

You are most welcome

[@jacobmcmahon1915]

Perfect timing posting this. Was wondering why I had no gears when my shift cable moved just fine. It was because I twisted my shift shaft to get my lower unit to go on properly. You explaining how this all works is very helpful for me in solving my problems. Thank you. I just got my 1988 75hp mercury running today but it was always in forward gear. I must have turned it quite a bit.

[@RetrieverRidge]

Glad it helped you! Takes very little to get it out of alignment.

[@HickoryFlatFarms]

My day was consumed in this task of impeller change out. I am thankful for this information!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@HickoryFlatFarms glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@biodot88]

Nice! Worked on an Optimax lower unit 150. The key is just take your time 11/32 wrench or socket. It doesn’t take much force to turn it into gear if it fights you little bit just turn the prop until it engages a little.

[@RetrieverRidge]

Nice work!

[@robwinters6097]

Great job 👍thanks for sharing 😎I have an old 1969 100 hp mercury two stroke outboard and was having problems 😳now that I watched your video. I think I can get it. Thank you again.

[@DavidWolfkill]

You just saved me a lot of work had my lower unit off three times before I watched your video worked great Thank You

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@DavidWolfkill glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@DavidWolfkill glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@205bamaboy94]

Great video. Needed this 3 weeks ago though. And it’s easier is you leave it in gear instead of neutral,because when you put the shaft back in , and if your shaft doesn’t line up, you will need to turn the prop a bit so the spline lines up . Great video man!

[@RetrieverRidge]

Great point!

[@johnrawding6330]

Spot on with the shifter movement in the lower unit, definitely need the proper tool to turn it & find neutral. I used a deep socket on a 1/4 drive and it was perfect. I put mine together in reverse gear and finally it worked.

[@RetrieverRidge]

glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@knowledgeispower6732]

Was taking a break from the last 3/4 inch on my lower of a 88 200hp 2 stroke, my dad and I been struggling getting it to mesh. Now I realize that the lower is in neutral, and the shaft doesn’t spin very easy due to a fresh water pump impeller, I hope that when I go outside and shift the lower to forward and put the shifter in forward on the selector it will mesh the rest of the way as I spin the prop shaft and heave ho it back together. Thank you for doing this video. Ps someone needs to machine lowers for a LS v8 engine, and not use this style water pump. That would be cool. A budget LS with a turbo, good 800-1000 hp outboard and affordable 😂😮. Thanks again Jimmy heesch

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@knowledgeispower6732 glad to help!

[@knowledgeispower6732]

@payitforwardDIY Still having issues, while I got it together shortly after watching your video, I am having a few issues, one mainly no water coming out of the back of the block and 2nd, it ran for 45 seconds and then not getting fuel. When I put the 11/32 wrench it would only turn a small amount and didn't click, then when I spun the shaft it would engage ant then drop back to neutral. I didn't want to force it, so I bumped the starter and that seemed to work, but I may have missed the copper pipe or it popped off in the midst, so I may have to remove the lower again after I figure out the fuel issue. Do you know if it will run dry, or is there a safety sensor that won't let it run without water presence. Thank you

[@knowledgeispower6732]

@payitforwardDIY how soon should I see water stream after starting. I have the hose and clamp on and running water before cranking.

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@knowledgeispower6732 you should see water within 10-15 seconds

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@knowledgeispower6732 did you have the water pump off? The easiest mistake on that is to put it in with the fins pointing the wrong direction.

[@glen7850]

2000 75 hp merc 2 stroke, I put mine in neutral with the shifter also in neutral , attempted spline line up , reinsert 3 times ,, moving driveshaft until it lined up clockwise. there is a lot of movement after forward or reverse is selected at the lower unit = off by a few splines.

[@sMileHighCity]

Thanks for this! Just replaced my impeller and upon reinstalling am running into gear issues. Will try this tomorrow. Thanks again!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@sMileHighCity glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@larrychilders9388]

This is so helpful got a used lower unit since mine went out and have been reading and digging trying to find something like this.. thank you!!

[@RetrieverRidge]

glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@jrobber999]

Thanks for the video! My shaft won’t spin at all?! I tried 2 different outdrives that I have. Any ideas?? Thanks for any advice.

[@0n3y3]

Thanks for making this video. Exactly what I needed to find!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@0n3y3 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@brianbaltzly4482]

This helped me out on my 98 125 meracruser 2 stroke. got it right on first try

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@brianbaltzly4482 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@tylerpoegel167]

Frickin awesome been trying to figure this out for so long

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@tylerpoegel167 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@natebrubaker3269]

For some reason mine has a lot of play in the shift shaft. I'd say the total amount of range is like 70-90 degrees with one side being reverse and the other being forward, with a large margin for the neutral gear. Could this indicate something wrong with the shift shaft?

[@fishstix2620]

Awesome video... I have a question on the water pump if you can help. 96 mercury that we have put a new gasket set and pump in. Reassembled it twice now and everything is correct but no water coming up. Don't know if we ain't tightening the housing nuts down far enough but afraid of breaking them of. Any torc specs you may know?

[@FG-ns9rc]

You paid it forward my friend...Thank you!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@FG-ns9rc glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@smeg8557]

Hi, great video!! just wanted to ask if you know, I have a 200HP 2002 mercury salt water outboard and I did the impeller myself, I took the boat out the other day and noticed sometimes its hard to shift into reverse and a few times when I shifted in forwards I could hear it kick in kind of hard after I used the lever, could this be why? Thanks so much!!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@smeg8557 yeah, it sounds like the shift shaft didn’t line up exactly right when you put it back together. May have to take it off and realign it.

[@felonebike9859]

I have an uncanny feeling this is gonna be super helpful in the near future for me. 😅

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@felonebike9859 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@GilbertBurch]

Could this be the reason why my forward and reverse are totally opposite on my tiller handle. I put it in reverse and it goes forward, put it in forward and it goes in reverse

[@RetrieverRidge]

Definitely could be why! Probably have to remove the lower unit and try again.

[@aryo122pilvar3]

Thank you mate I was having a hard time to put my lower unit back

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@aryo122pilvar3 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@Fixdecay]

Well done now how do I get mu reverse lock on my 1978 L6 90hp to work?

[@cynful_666]

OMG thank you for this video. Just helped my buddy with his motor

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@cynful_666 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@kramelip]

Just the video I needed. Thanks

[@omarelnajmi7929]

Is it normal for me to be able to easily rotate the shifter clockwise after I click it into forward gear? Or should it click into forward gear and hold right there? Is the shift shaft only meant to click in and out of forward, neutral and reverse without able to be freely rotate? Currently I can freely rotate my shifter clockwise about 180 degrees when it’s in forward gear. I’m wondering if that is a bad sign

[@joecffv1]

thank you very informative my question / problem as you show the shifter gear moving just a little then clicking , mine will turn just using my fingers at least 180 degrees before clicking. and i can only seem to get it into reverse and neutral , i can't seem to find forward. Do you have any thoughts or comments thank you i am very new to working on motors. I took the lower unit off to fix the impeller

[@RetrieverRidge]

If you know for sure yours is in neutral you can turn it clockwise to get to forward. Turn it till you feel resistance and then push it firm until it clicks. Wiggle the prop a little with your free hand and that may help it as you turn the shifter.

[@roberttheriot7612]

great video i have a problem maybe you can help me. that little shaft you are clicking left and right did what you said and put it back together but when it's time to shift with the lever by the steering wheel it want go into forward or reverse. what do you suggest thanks in advance

[@duartepaintinghandymanservices]

This helped me out today, my outboard was stuck on forward, I hit a shallow water and I guess that small impact was enough to push up the gear shaft that goes down to the lower unit and was stuck. Also I did put my shifter in neutral and the lower unit in neutral and they lined up perfectly

[@jonboatmorava9115]

Oh man I started off in neutral and couldn't get the unit to go back together for my life. Watched this popped it in forward and presto the unit went right together and will shift back and forward now. Thing is that fitting you have a screw in has a tube coming off it to a capped off fitting. Well I broke it. So is that scre there in purpose?

[@RetrieverRidge]

glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@jamesDeFelice-l2p]

Thanks a bunch you made it simple spot on with the instructions thanks again

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@jamesDeFelice-l2p glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@mathewcruz4712]

I just replaced my water pump kit ordered from this description. Seemed to match perfectly. . I have a 40hp tracker Mercury 2002/2003. Put everything back how it came off and re connected shift linkage but now my motor doesn’t find the neutral although throttle is in neutral. Previously anywhere in neutral I could start. Now I have to move the throttle super slow in the neutral gear back and forth in its play room while holding key turned and sometimes it starts and sometimes it’s just dead and never attempts to turn. It doesn’t attempt to crank at all till it finds a spot in the neutral while holding key turned to start. so it never cranks till finds a spot moving throttle back and forth in neutral, then it does sometimes and cranks and starts. Any ideas?

[@johnnyn1933]

Useful info even for 75 Hp Optimax from 2004!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@johnnyn1933 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@MikaeleIosefa714]

Thanks for the video!! I have a question maybe you can help me. in front of that shifter there is a nipple that has a hose going to it on my 1985 115 hp. WTH is that hose for? I installed a new impeller and that nipple broke. Now im stuck in forward. Does that have anything to do with the shifter? Thanks in advance!!

[@MikaeleIosefa714]

I got the answer from my neighbor who is an old Coast guard mechanic. Thanks for this video though. I used your method to get my bot right.

[@SF-rl7hl]

Good video on shifter but you must be in forward or reverse when re-mounting lower unit! Otherwise you will struggle for hours to get drive shaft lined up with crank. When in gear its just a little bump of the prop to re-align drive shaft takes 5 min job. I use forward but many use reverse.

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@SF-rl7hl glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@jivillaluz1]

Saved me a phone call to 'a guy'! THANK YOU!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@jivillaluz1 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@tylerswan1318]

life saver! worked on my 1996 Honda BF90A

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@tylerswan1318 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@tylerswan1318]

@@RetrieverRidge done!

[@chrisbilow9954]

Thanks just the explanation I was looking for!

[@RetrieverRidge]

glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@Kat-rv5rj]

Hell yeah! You're awesome bro.

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@Kat-rv5rj glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@hfxfirefighter]

Sadly, I pulled up on the gear selector and I can't seem to find neutral etc. What do I do to fix this situation?

[@tbrandt1592]

What if you pull out the shift shaft?

[@marshall2368]

I just bought a 1998 lower unit off of a 200 horse. when I turn the shift shaft it shifts correctly. CW forward, CCW neutral, and CCW Reverse. MY question is should it be clicking? Because it is not clicking into position. i know yours is an 86 but i'm thinking they are all supposed to click into position correct?

[@Drew_379]

This helped me out so much!! I was having a hellva time lol 👍

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@Drew_379 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@johnnycuebas8439]

Life saver....thanks so much for the great video

[@RetrieverRidge]

glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@Quackk_Addict]

Man I wish I would have seen this, mine is just stuck in nuetral, I cant even rotate the shift shaft at all... did exactly what you said not to so and that was pull up or push down on it... I have no last ditch efforts and im mentally exhausted at this point, I think inwill just have to bite the bullet and take it in... I see people say to pop that white bushing where the shift shaft is and try to realign where the shift shaft drops into but im just defeated at this point

[@thomasdonoghue9073]

Well how are you? Did you find out what the issue was? I’m in the same situation as you were 🙈

[@Quackk_Addict]

@@thomasdonoghue9073 yes I got it figured out.... I took the bushing off and removed the shifr shaft... I used a metal tape and made a small "L" and stuck it down... if you use a flashlight, you can look down and see it's not lined up right

[@Arcturian1111]

Some great info here. Thank you

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@Arcturian1111 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@dannyhowell3171]

Ty helped me out great video

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@dannyhowell3171 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@cristobalaguirre6143]

Thank you bro. This really helped me

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@cristobalaguirre6143 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@brentmcchesney1660]

Did what you said not to. My boat is now stuck in forward the internal linkage is disconnected. How do I reconnect it

[@RetrieverRidge]

That's bad news. I think you will have to remove your lower gears and get it all linked back together.

[@brentmcchesney1660]

@@RetrieverRidge dang. Good project for tonight. Maybe I’ll make a KZbin video on fixing it

[@brentmcchesney1660]

@@RetrieverRidge ended up working again. Kinda popped back into place and started working again. With a lot of shaft spinning and messing with the shifter.

[@thenerdyhunter]

So helpful thank you!

[@RetrieverRidge]

glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@markschilling3310]

how come on most ones ive seen they always say put handle all way forward bfore you pull it apart so now im really confused

[@RetrieverRidge]

That leaves it in forward gear and will allow you to spin the prop when reinstalling the lower unit which will turn the drive shaft and help it realign with the gears up in the engine.

[@nathangreenaway1812]

What happens if it does not click... mine just smoothly rotates haha😅

[@williamschindel75]

You’re awesome!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@williamschindel75 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@colewilson3082]

Help mine is stuck in drive

[@bakervinci163]

If I turn my drive shaft both ways and it turns the prop both way

[@lostrevinos]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@lostrevinos glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@Oialca]

Tower of power

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@Oialca glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@rpgesus28]

How did you get that seal out?

[@RK-qv2nb]

You can buy a tool to remove the shift shaft seal for mercury. Search shift shaft seal tool. I think the seal within the bushing can be changed, but they sell the bushing with the seal already pressed into it.

[@doncookbc]

Thanks !!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@doncookbc glad I could help!

[@donens9310]

Curious. What size wrench fit precisely on the spline?

[@bransayler]

Just had this happen last night with my 40hp Merc. Easy fix, thanks. Any pointers on getting everything lined up when putting the lower unit back on? Seems like it always takes me 30 minutes. Try spinning the prop and that doesn't seem to help. Appreciate the video

[@RetrieverRidge]

If it’s in gear spinning the prop should help line up the splines on the end of the drive shaft with the motor. Also getting the water tube lined back up can be tough. I use a ratchet strap attached to the top of the motor and loop it around under the lower unit to help hold it while I get everything lined up.

[@bransayler]

@@RetrieverRidge In neutral now with lower unit out. So put into forward gear on boat, and manually put lower unit in forward? Install, then everything should line up and shift back to neutral for start up?

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@bransayler Yes that's exactly what I ended up doing!

[@Daddywjk]

THANK YOU

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@Daddywjk glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@idahoanm618]

I swapped lower units as the original had a broken skeg. When I put in the other unit I found a 2 1/2" long by 1/4" flat piece of hardened steel that was blackened from exhaust on the ground. Any idea where that goes. The reason I ask is after putting it all together it goes into reverse fine but I have to hammer it in forward to get it to go which is not good as the motor is now revved up and it pops in gear??

[@chrisosborne5255]

Thanks

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@chrisosborne5255 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@kgkeke3227]

My shifter does not click when I try to turn it and there is a lot of tention when I try to turn it.

[@RetrieverRidge]

It takes a good amount of pressure to click it into gear with a wrench. However if it won't go your shift shaft may be disconnected or misaligned with the lower gears. One thing you can try is to spin the prop by hand a little as you turn the shaft.

[@kgkeke3227]

Still no luck but thanks anyway. I might just buy a whole new lower end haha. This thing is a headache !!!

[@RetrieverRidge]

I felt like that right before I figured it out. Once you get it you’ll be surprised how simple it is.

[@johnvgig]

@@kgkeke3227 I found turning the main shaft CW while trying to move the shift shaft makes things a lot easier

[@jackmills1616]

My boat motor

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@jackmills1616 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@davey3765]

There is another video that might help if your still confused - I time stamped it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m57aoomIqbOUsNksi=2wuj5WYbg-CllG_Y&t=1651

[@vincentkolb717]

I always leave mine in neutral.

[@dewwiedennis2001]

This mf know what he doing mine wouldn’t work in reverse and I did this and messed around with it and got reverse back in my motor

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@dewwiedennis2001 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@HAV417]

Everyone says it has to be in foward or the shift tab won't line up with brass shifter, it won't slide on. We tried to install it in neutral, won't go on. It has to be in Foward!

[@RetrieverRidge]

@@HAV417 glad to be of assistance! Like and subscribe if you like the content! I’m trying to grow my channel so I can help more people! Thanks for watching!

[@a.jlargeincharge3814]

POWER OF TOWER ???? interesting. not hard to work out that the shift cam lets the follower & dog fall into fwd & loads up into rev.

[@michaeliommie5632]

How did you get the lower unit off/disengage the shift shaft ?