At a loss bravo1 drives
 

I always thought I was somewhat mechanically inclined. Obviously not!!

So,,,, I replaced upper and lower shift cables. I had the tools to set up the cables down to the point of splitting the difference on play.
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I mounted the drives and took care to insure the cable end aligned and slid into the jaws. Well the drive did not shift into neutral. Both drives are behaving the same. So I took the drives off and could see the cable end was locked in place and popped the cable to release it.

I am going to check my cable adjustments again now that the drives. Even if it wrong topside the lower cable end is correct and should have shifted the drive to neutral.

Both drives as they sit out of the boat I can rotate the upper shaft in one direction only and the prop shaft does not turn at all. Is that correct? I would have thought if it goes into gear when you pull the drive off if you rotate the upper shaft the prop shaft should turn.
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What prompted you to replace the cables? Hard to shift? If so, there's another part behind the rear cap that probably needs to be replaced. If the drive is in neutral the prop should spin easily in either direction. That part can be purchased from an OSO member call sign "Bam"

I had a bad u-joint in one of my extension boxes so I decided to replace everything. Bellows, u-joints, bearings, cables, water and drive lube lines. The boat is a '98. It was time.

While they are off you should look into the shift mechanism. Ball and socket setup that pits and makes shifting stiff. Mine is a 95 and Im planning on replacing them this winter. Already did the cables and still stiff when shifting. Someone on here said they swapped it out and night and day difference. Probably good preventative maintenance anyway.

I checked one it's fine. Can't imagine it pitting it's submerged in gear lube.

My problem is what I mentioned above, it's not shifting into neutral when the drive is mounted.

The part I'm talking about is not submerged in gear lube it should be dry in that area.

If you can spend the upper shaft and the propeller shaft doesn't spin at all then the drive is in neutral

I think I am ok. I was able to shift the drives on the stand and got neutral as well as a gear on both. The drives were sitting for a week without gear lube so it took a little effort on the first spin. Spin real nice now. I think everything was ok when I put them on the boat today. Will know tomorrow.

Thanks

Just to be sure - there is a tool for the upper and the lower. I bought the upper one on EBay for the shift mechanism for a couple bucks. I’ve always used a paint stirrer with a slit cut in it for the back of the bellhousing.

Just making sure you had both.

Yes, I got them both and doubled check everything. I think I'm ok. My comment above describes it. Thanks