Sticks in reverse gear

[Pendana]

When I select reverse on the port drive it takes a huge effort to bring it back to neutral. I really have to shove and push on the control lever to get it back to neutral.
Selecting forward and back to neutral is normal. I was wondering if this was shimming problem of the drive selector lever. Anyone got any thoughts?
KAD42's DP-D's
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[spannerman]

First get the adjustment checked for correct throw each way, do you have the right oil in the drives synthetic 75-90, and when was it last changed.
If these are OK then it could be the clutch hanging up and it needs replacing if worn.

 

[Pendana]

Drives serviced by volvo last February so assume they used the right oil. Suppose it could be clutch, nearly 900 hrs on engines - changed the cone clutches on last boat at 1200hrs. Will check out adjustment when I haul her out.

Thanks for advice

Eddie

 

[RobWales]

I was informed that this is a common problem when using these drives in a twin engine scenario??

Diagnosis being that reverse gear on the port drive is opposed to the starboard and any condensation build up in the gearbox can cause slight surface corrosion causing the gear to hang up!!!!

I put this scenario in a pm to a volvo expert forum member but he replied saying try changing the cable.......

The condensation surface rust explanation above came from a former owner of my boat which has a simmilar problem though not as severe, and he says he was told this by a well known Volvo engine and leg supplier.......

so I wonder who is right and if anyone can shed some more light on things please?

 

[gary111160]

I had the same problem this year. Kad43 with 290 duo. Not a technical person myself but the volvo people lifted the boat and did something with shims within the outdrive unit. Both legs had a full service only a few months previous. All been fine since. Not a frightening bill. Think £138 plus lift. Mine was also the port side. Great in forward to neutral but had to tap with the palm to nudge from reverse into neutral. Hope this helps.

Gary

 

[spannerman]

Not sure what is meant by condensation theory as there is very little airspace in the top of the drive and all the components are submersed in oil, and a Volvo drive circulates its oil which means any water gets emulsified. In the 80 plus Volvo legs I've opened I have never seen rust, even when the oil has been heavily contaminated with water. Only in the complete absence of any oil which is nearly never, have I seen rust in VP drives.
The port reverse gear can't be opposed to the starboard as the legs are duoprops and everything rotates the same way on both legs. This is only true on a single prop leg when you have a lefthand and righthand prop on a twin installation, then the port and starboard clutches move in opposite direction to give opposing rotation.

 

[RobWales]

Thanks, I must say that I was quite sceptical myself on this scenario...............
However after searching various boat diesel engines forums and reading threads from uk and international users the same result comes up its allways the port drive and the stickiness from neutral to reverse and vice versa!!?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Pendana]

Thanks for that Gary, I guess it'll do no harm for me to check the selector shimming anyway.

Eddie