Well, my last post lasted almost a day but must have been pretty touchy for some people so it was removed...sorry! Here is my new dilema: Is there any way to check the lower unit of my 120 Force outboard motor for shifting problems after it has been removed from the motor? The reason I ask, I had our boat repaired at an outboard shop and stressed to the mechanics that my linkeage might have got stretched causing the motor to chatter in reverse and also chatter once put back in neutral. They supposedly checked it, called me and told me the lower unit was bad (without removing it from the motor) so I found a rebuilt one on craigslist and they replaced it for me. When they set up the motor with the new lower unit, they noticed it went into reverse and neutral fine, but had a problem going into forward. They then noticed that the linkeage bracket was bent, so they straightened it and lo & behold, the new lower unit worked fine. So here's my dilema. When I took it in, the motor shifted real easy into forward, but when putting it in reverse it chattered and also chattered when put back in neutral. This time the new unit went into reverse fine and neutral and wasn't fully engaging into forward, almost the complete opposite. I'm just wondering if the old lower unit was fine on my boat and just the linkeage was bent, and this venture cost me for my new lower unit as well as 4 hrs labour at $80hr for the install. Does anyone know of a way to test the removed lower unit without attaching it to a motor? I know that the oil should be checked for water and possibly metal shavings and pressure tested, but what about the shift mechanism without opening up the crankcase? I googled alot and really didn't get a good answer, cuz if the old lower unit is fine I would have a chance of selling it and getting back some of my repair bill. Your comments are welcome, thanks Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers

I have a friend that owns one. I called him ( I don't think he is a mechanic but I have known him for more than twenty years and he has always had good luck repairing his own stuff). He says as far as he knows there is no way to test it seperately but notes he is looking at this from a do it yourself point of view..He also said he thinks it is possible it could have been just bent or damaged linkeage. I know this wasn't much help but is the best I could find. Likley Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!

likely, thanks a bunch for the answer, I appreciate it. Anyone else have a sensible answer? Thanks Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers

Sorry, I don't know about outboards as I have twin Merc alpha one drives on my boat. I had an oil leak that had oil coming out from behind the prop. I had a marine repair shop pull both drives and when they pressure tested the subject drive it was determined that my shift rod had become bent. The being out of round wore an oil seal causing the leak. $1200 later everything is fine. Do you have another repair shop you can contact? Maybe even check Force's website. Here is a link to a forum that may help http://forums.iboats.com/Force-Outb...

thanks bluejay, I have contacted a few more mechanics and everyone seems to have different ideas.I'm gonna check the oil for a murky look and excess metal shavings and they also said to push the shift rod down and see if the prop shaft only turns one way or turns at all, then pull it up and do the same. That might give some idea to how the lower unit is. I picked up my boat today and brought the lower unit home so I could get it checked. I thought a lower unit was like the transmission of a car or truck and that they had various diagnostic tools to use even if it wasn't installed on the motor. I guess that's not true. I'm learning new things every day it seems about boats. My firend asked me if I knew what BOAT stood for. He said it means Bring Out Another Thousand ....hmmm...he could be right. Hopefully my newer lower unit will last me for awhile. And yes, I've been to the Force sight many times, thanks for the link. Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers

Could be a bad thrust bearing. But I don't know of way to test it without it being assembled. The parts have to mesh to test. We were the unwilling, led by the unqualified, to do the unnecessary, for the ungrateful. VietNam War Poster

My dad always had boats while I was growing up. Mostly for fishing. He always described them as nothing more than a big hole in the water you dump money in that you didn't need. Otherwise you wouldn't have bought a bloomin boat. LOL Likely Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!