Evinrude Lower unit reverse gear replacement

[LeeM]

My reverse gear has been popping out, or not engaging and clicking, for about 3 months. One mechanic said to replace the whole gear set, because they are "matched", for $800. Another said to just replace the reverse gear and clutch dog ($500). There are no problems with forward, and both mechanics will re-seal the unit and pressure/vacuum test it.

Anyone have (good or bad) experience with replacing just the reverse gear, clutch dog, and seals? $300 could surely go towards other projects.

[inkahootz]

I am not sure of the answer to your question, but I would recommend that you do some investigative work before someone goes ripping into the gearbox.

Have you checked your shift cable adjustment? If the cable is worn and has play in it could also cause problems.
I remember talk of a bad weld on the shift assist on certain models as well.

Chances are that the three months of popping out of gear has done damage anyway, but make sure you find the cause of the failure so it doesn't ruin the new parts.

[Knockerjoe]

Check adjustment of your shift rod, if that is good chances are it is your clutch dog. You will have to break down the gearcase to see what is damaged.If a mechanic told you that it is matched set stop using that mechanic because he is wrong and trying to jack up the rebuild. A used or rebuilt lower unit is also an option for you. good luck!

[f4phantomii]

Please dear God tell me you didn't go to a certain mechanic.....email or PM and I'll tell you his name, but I've found he is notorious with the other mechanics in Savannah.

A buddy and I bought a pair of used 225 Evinrudes from this guy about 3 years ago. I ended up with the left-hand engine and my buddy ended up with the right.

After about two years of use, my reverse started giving me problems. I adjusted the cable, and even pulled the lower unit to measure the shift rod height (per the spec in the manual for my engine). Everything was fine. I twiddled, and adjusted and finally gave up.

In the meantime, my buddy started having similar problems. I asked around about mechanics (I had long since stopped doing business with the other mechanic) and found one who was recommended. He got into my gearcase, and we figured out that the original mechanic had, at some point, gotten the gears mixed up in both our engines. We'd basically been running our gearcases in reverse the whole time. I got a funny feeling the original guy had to have known at some point he'd screwed up, and just rigged them to run in the right direction.

I ended up buying a whole new lower unit for $1000, and the new mechanic even changed the engine around from a counter-rotating to standard rotation engine. I think he did it just to see if he could. It runs better now than it ever has.

I can provide you with the name of the mechanic I've found to be the best if you like. He, as well as all the other mechanics are extremely busy right now. But I trust this guy. He'll only replace what needs to be replaced, and it may be months and months before he even bills you. I have all the old gear parts left over...if they will work in your motor (I'll let the mechanic make that judgement), I'll sell them to you pretty cheap.

-Michael