hello all. have a 2000 342 baja with 502 mpi , bravo 1. out for a cruise, leaving the dock, my port drive will not engage. shift linkage is fine, the drive will shift into forward and reverse. prop is free and will rotate by hand. problem is the coupler is spinning around the drive shaft without the drive shaft moving, and as you can imagine creates a lot of whinning. question, is this a spun coupler?? if not what could be the problem, and also the cure?? any help would be appreciated.

Looks like you'll be pulling an engine...pain in the ass just to replace a $200 part though..

good luck..

Yup, I hate to say it but it is a spun coupler. and you do have to pull the engine to replace it. Check your motor mounts. They go almost always because of engine miss alignment. Good luck. To have it done is roughly a 700 to 1000 doller job.

KBUSH1

It sounds like a dead couple to me. The motor will have to come out to remove the bellhousing to replace it. And Gary is right you need to check your motor alignment and make sure you use the proper grease for the coupler.

Good luck

Dick

thanks for the replies. why does this happen??

There are a few reasons why this happens.
Age.
Engine alignment.
Abuse.
Not necessarily in that order.

pulled the engine last night and replaced the coupler. took me roughly 4 hours. not to bad. hope to be in the water on thursday. thanks for the help...

Don't forget.....engine alignment is a MUST, or you best have another coupler on order.