OK, took my back plate apart last night.

Good thing I just slightly loosened the bolts and noticed the oil leakage.
Went and blocked the drive fluid line from inside the boat
Found the detent ball stuck. Had to tap it hard to free it up.
Everything was not well lubed either This almost looks like a yearly service spot I will start doing.
Once the rear cap was off I was able to shift in and out of gear at the helm fine. Almost as easy as if the motor was running.
Lubed everything up real good, reinstalled and was still able to shift at the helm.
Now real test will be in the water.

BTW, just a reminder to others that you WILL have to refill the drive fluid from the bottom up. It will NOT drain back in on its own.
Also wanted to add that I had to take a 12 point 3/8" socket and grind down the casing on it to fit into the housing bolt holes for the two upper bolts

Could not find a deep socket 12 point

my thanks, too Mr. Gadget. It took awhile, but a few measurements, spinning the prop and way too many trips in and out of the boat to change gears, I was able to adjust the shift cables....while I wait for the adjustment tool.

Hey sorry guys I havent been able to check this thread.. trying to get mine running also.,.

but it sounds like you were both able to get going..That is great. That magic black box on the back is not that scary.. LOL!!

If you need to get to me quicker.. sometimes an email is better..

Enjoy and let me know how it works out. But I think you are both in the right area..

Dick

Just thought I would give an update.
Spent the day on the river and it was truly an awesome 80+ day out.
The drive shifted perfect each and every time

Thanks for all the info Dick, and this site is so great it just saved me several hundred dollars from taking this problem into someone else
Last guy I talked to wanted to change out the gear set right away.
Said the only thing that would cause my problem would be worn teeth.
Qouted $700 for the gear set and another 400 for labor

Thanks again

Mn, Tech,
Nice to see someone take interest and work on it till they figure it out!!
Glad it worked out for you both.. I'll let you buy me a beer next time we meet up!!

Dick

While a guy has that rear cap off its a good time to look inside and take a look at the upper gears and for metal/debris. On a XR quite often you'll see wear on the pinion gear first but unfortunately you can't see the pinion very well thru the back. The cover O-ring is usually re-usable too if drive is fairly new,Smitty

It would be my pleasure to buy you a few drinks.
Worth every penny for the information you give out here

I'm having the same problem as everyone else. So, if I take the back plate off to check detent assembly, will all the drive oil come out? I've never messed with an outdrive, but can usually figure things out. thanks

yes you need to drain it, or at least drain some of it out..

Yes, you will loose drive oil
What I did was crimp the line coming from the bottle to hte inside of the drive. Just folded the hose and put a wire tie on it as a temporary blockage
Then once you pull the rear cap you will get a mess. I suppose once the hose is crimped you could drain the rest out through the prop hole, that would be easier to contain.
Just make sure after everything is put back together that you refill the drive through the BOTTOM. It will not automatically fill by gravity alone.