Hydradrive stuck in gear

kubcat · 07 October 2011, 10:46

Just got our Hydradrives rebuilt and as our mechanic ran away on holidays we put them on ourselves after respraying them.

We couldn't work out the shift cable attachment and don't remember disconnecting it when we removed them.

They are both always in gear regardless of the gear lever position.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of removing them again, moving the shifter to allow the shift cable to be out fully and trying again.

martini · 07 October 2011, 10:57

The cable would've detached as you pulled the drive off so you may not have been aware.

Pulling the drive back as far as you can without coming off the threads should be enough to see what you're doing. The ball on the end of the cable pops into a plastic socket. As I remember the socket is split to allow the ball into it, when the drive is bolted up against the transom plate the socket gets closed up and tightens onto the ball so it doesn't pop out again.

It hasn't been that long since I done one but my memory is not what it was so if that doesn't make sense it's probably my fault!

kubcat · 07 October 2011, 12:20

Well just having a red or 2 and it is making sense. We will see if it still makes sense in the morning when I give it a try.

Thanks Martini

biffer · 07 October 2011, 15:19

Martini is exactly right. You can hook the plastic fitting out of the drive and it will open up automatically. The ball from the gear shift will push in the fitting and it will close automatically as you push the leg on. Make sure you haven't bent the cables

sent from a remote device

kubcat · 08 October 2011, 05:51

With the help of a couple of beers, it was a straight forward exercise. The only difference was that as I had pushed the plastic fitting in too far, I had to remove the nuts that hold the drive to the gimbal housing completely. Supporting the bottom of the drive with a jack, we used the hydraulic rams to slide it off and hold it in place while a bit of bent coat hanger was used to pull out the plastic fitting. The hydraulic rams then pulled the drive back onto the gimbal housing. Couldn't be easier.

They are quite noisy though when running in gear, both the same. Kind of like no oil, but I imagine they wouldn't be in gear without oil. Guess it will be much quieter in the water.

Thank you Martini and Biffer for your help. If you ever come to Sydney, you will have a boat and skipper to explore Sydney Harbour.

biffer · 08 October 2011, 11:43

My son and wife have just set up home in your fair city so there may be a chance of meet

sent from a remote device

kubcat · 08 October 2011, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

My son and wife have just set up home in your fair city so there may be a chance of meet

sent from a remote device

I promise I will not get the toolbox out