Re: Out with Clutch Dogs: In with Ball Bearings in the OMC 6 HP

[frankr]

Thanks for the very detailed explanation of what is going on in those units. But can I add my 2c? In forward gear (and any significant power load), the prop thrust would be moving the prop shaft away from the reverse gear/bearing housing. So the only force pushing the reverse gear against the bearing housing while running in forward gear would be the thrust of the reverse/pinion bevel gears trying to move away from each other (true, not to be ignored).

In neutral gear the reverse gear is rotating and being pressed against the bearing housing by the spring as you indicated.

However, while running in reverse gear, the prop thrust is pulling the gear and reverse gear even tighter against the bearing housing. You mentioned sailboat use. To my thinking, that is the greatest cause of wear at that point. Those guys really get onto reverse while backing down a heavy sailboat. A fisherman, trolling for hours on end MIGHT not be exerting enough forward prop thrust to move the shaft against the spring, I dunno about that. And how about if he is back-trolling?

The bronze thrust washer sounds good. It probably would be even better if you could figure out a way to keep the bronze washer from rotating against the aluminum. An engineer, which I am not, would be able to tell us the friction co-efficient of those parts sliding together.

Keep up the good work, you are appreciated.