volvo outdrives kick up in reverse

[tichmarshjohn]

Hi first trip out this weekend after refitting my outdrives.Made a right dick of myself trying to reverse onto a pontoon at Burnham.The outdrives kick up as soon i tried to reverse and yes all the boats looking on had sails.Any on got any idears what is wrong :

 

[neale]

Which model outdrives do you have?

 

[PCUK]

The reverse locks aren't engaging. Have you had them apart?

 

[volvopaul]

There are 3 springs that enable the system to work, if anyone has failed or missing the system won't work.

The system needs constant maintainance as limescale and marine growth stop it working . I'd have the boat lifted to check it out before it cost you a driveshaft universal joint breakage .

 

[scottie]

If both are kicking up you may have the props on the wrong drives

 

[PCUK]

Very good point Scottie! Although wouldn't the controls work in reverse if this is the case?

 

[oldgit]

IT is definately possible to fit the props on the wrong drives VP 280 (if you are determind enough,did it twice just to make sure),but the controls will work in reverse.

 

[scottie]

Very good point Scottie! Although wouldn't the controls work in reverse if this is the case?

Yes but you can reverse them at the leg not sure if that moves the astern lock at the same time
And would not be first time someone has changes the contol gear selection to avoid lift out charges

 

[Jurgen]

Hi first trip out this weekend after refitting my outdrives.Made a right dick of myself trying to reverse onto a pontoon at Burnham.The outdrives kick up as soon i tried to reverse and yes all the boats looking on had sails.Any on got any idears what is wrong :

Had the same problem on a SP270, spend £0000's trying to get it fixed but never did. Only ever did it when full stbd lock was engaged but not when dead astern so in the end just straightened the wheel, engaged reverse then put hard lock to stbd lol

 

[blueglass]

Had the same problem on a SP270, spend £0000's trying to get it fixed but never did. Only ever did it when full stbd lock was engaged but not when dead astern so in the end just straightened the wheel, engaged reverse then put hard lock to stbd lol

+1 many years ago now. I understand some folks give up and have them permanently latched down and take their chances on hitting something.
another reason why Ive been shaft only ever since.

 

[volvopaul]

If the props were fitted the wrong way round the boat would go backwards when forward gear is engaged.

 

[scottie]

If the props were fitted the wrong way round the boat would go backwards when forward gear is engaged.

I agree but if somebody starts mucking about with them and does not know wht they are doing or worse have little kowledge strange things can happen remember it is a boat!

 

[tichmarshjohn]

I agree but if somebody starts mucking about with them and does not know wht they are doing or worse have little kowledge strange things can happen remember it is a boat!

Hi the outdrives are lifted buy a stainles steel ram pushing down on the outdrive.At the point the ram pushes onto the leg a steel rod is pushed down this rod is connected to the locking katch. Half way up the rod is a 10mm nut which can be adjusted.Could this be my prob it is not adjusted correctly.

 

[volvopaul]

Yes it needs to push the half round catch down at the rear of the water tube lowering to allow the two pawls to engage .

 

[tichmarshjohn]

Yes it needs to push the half round catch down at the rear of the water tube lowering to allow the two pawls to engage .

Thanks Paul i am going to lift her on Sunday.If i have got this right winding the 10 mm nut down the rod should lock in

 

[Peanuts]

As already mentioned I expect that you will find the centre spring missing, just the hook part will be left on the bar and on the eye on the body. When I had my 280's I used to strip and clean these units every year, never had any problems. The retaining pawls need to be able to move, that is why there is a shim washer under the pawl, do not lose them!
I have never had to adjust the push rod so before you do that please check the reverse lock mechanism is operating correctly, I would put money on the middle spring missing.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[scottie]

Sorry to harp on with this but if the fault has just appeared with both drives I would see if they both lift whilst stopped in ahead before lifting the boat out to avoid costs
They should not lift easily in ahead !

 

[Jurgen]

Sorry to harp on with this but if the fault has just appeared with both drives I would see if they both lift whilst stopped in ahead before lifting the boat out to avoid costs
They should not lift easily in ahead !

I only had the problem while in reverse, not heard of the problem occurring while going forward?

 

[scottie]

I only had the problem while in reverse, not heard of the problem occurring while going forward?

The cable connection on the drive can be fitted at either connection hole and this determines the rotation of the drive
There is a connection from the selector to the astern lock
If as I am suggesting the props were on the wrong drives it is a simple error to change the connection point to allow the controls to operate correctly but if you do not change the lock engagement then it locks in ahead but free in reverse .
Normally propeller thrust will keep the drive down in ahead.

 

[tichmarshjohn]

Hi i had her lifted this weekend for a few hours.I adjusted the 10 mm nut down the rod buy half an inch the latch seems to grip the pin better.I put the legs into reverse gear and they seem to lock down firmly.I have not tried reversing with her in the water yet as we run out of tide.But thay are locking down much more positively.Thank you all very much for your input a special thanks to Volvopaul who seems to come up with the answer to most probs.I can not try it out in the water till next Monday as we have low tides until then.I will let you all know the outcome John