tomelenbaas
10-12-2009, 11:38 AM
I am suffering a recurrent failure in my transmission (Velvet Drive 10-17 Model 71C) on my '88 Mariah. For the first 16 years of ownership I've had no issues. Now, 3 times in the last 5 years the transmission has failed in reverse. Everything will be fine and then all of a sudden I have no reverse. Forward gear still works fine. Once reverse fails, while in "neutral" there is a slight forward rotation of the prop shaft. The problem has been exactly the same all 3 times. I've had the transmission rebuilt twice - the second time I helped with the rebuild and the reverse clutch plates were actually broken - they split clear through.
Ever since the boat was new the shift into reverse was "hard". While the shift into forward was very smooth, the shift into reverse was always a "clunk" and a shudder.
My winter project will be to rebuild the tranny for the third time, but I am wondering what is the likely cause of these failures? Should I forget about a third rebuild and just but in a new unit? Any help or guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Ever since the boat was new the shift into reverse was "hard". While the shift into forward was very smooth, the shift into reverse was always a "clunk" and a shudder.
My winter project will be to rebuild the tranny for the third time, but I am wondering what is the likely cause of these failures? Should I forget about a third rebuild and just but in a new unit? Any help or guidance will be greatly appreciated.