I have a mercruiser stern drive on a 1986 sea ray boat. I hit a rock and busted up my alluminum prop. the stern drive still works normally. however I hear a clicking noise in the stern drive right behind the prop when I spin the prop. I have it in neutral, motor off and it spins easily both directions, but it clicks both directions. Is this normal or should i be concerned?
Optional Information: Make (of engine): 170 hp mercruiser Model (of engine): mercriser Year: 1986 Horsepower: 170
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If the clicking is a light clicking that is a common noise and not to be worried about. If the clicking has a rig to to it, that means the clutch dog isn't quite clearing the gears and you may be able to adjust the cable one way or the other to get it to stop.
Check the propeller shaft run out.
At first It seemed kinda loud but I jiggled the shifter to make sure it was in nuetral and now the clicking is soft light noise. I was just nervouse because i hit the rock. I also noticed the fin that protects the prop is brocken off can that be repaired?
You did right to ask. Had there been internal damage we could have corrected it before the whole drive was destroyed. AS it stands, and least now you know it good.
As for the skeg, there are two ways of dealing with this. You can have someone dismantle the gear housing, then weld a new piece on, or you can go to the local parts house and ask them for a skeg guard. This is a SS piece that slips over the damaged skeg and makes it a lot tougher if this happens again.
Experience: 12 years Certified marine mechanic, performance boat builder