04 OX66 Shifting problems? Please HELP!

[BigBassh0le]

This weekend I replaced my water pump, the only thing I did wrong was I loosened the shift linkage under the cowl, I thought Yamaha went to their 2 part shift rod only on there newer model 4 strokes and hpdi?s. Anyway after I change the water pump and reinstalled the lower unit I tightened the screw back up then ran the motor. I tried to shift the motor in forward and I was very difficult but it did go into forward and reverse. I then loosened the screw to just a little over hand tight/snug and the shifting worked.

My service manual has a torque spec of 17foot pounds and when I tighten the bolt to that spec I can?t shift so I just left the bolt snug with some removable locktite on it. I?m a little nervous the screw might back out after time or maybe the rod isn?t in correctly?

Now when shifting in to fwd it goes in no problem but when shifting reverse the shifter is a little stiff also I noticed when I put it in neutral sometimes the prop doesn?t fully disengage. If I spin the prop by hand there is a clicking sound then if I jiggle the control it seems to go back into neutral. I have tried to adjust the cable but it doesn?t seem to fix the problem.

Is it possible when I reinstalled the lower unit maybe shift rod is off by a tooth or two?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I just found this site and wow what a wealth of information hopefully I can contribute one day.

 

[BigBassh0le]

Re: 04 OX66 Shifting problems? Please HELP!

Here is the page from the manual. I only loosened the screw #1 about 3 turns I never took it out so the spring and ball should still be in place. I just can?t understand why after I tighten up the bolt to the recommended 17 ft-lbs the shifter is so stiff I can barely move it.

I think Maybe when I reinstalled the lower unit I may be off a tooth on the shift shaft spline. I think that may be the reason I can go into fwd with no effort at all and rev is a little tight but that still doesn?t explain the problem above. I also called Yamaha and spoke to a tech there answer was maybe the 17 ft-lbs in the manual was a typo!

Again any help or suggestions would really help. Thanks?

 

[Captain Paul]

Re: 04 OX66 Shifting problems? Please HELP!

17 lbs isn't that much. Do you think he was suggesting with that amount of torque you bent something? Looking at your attached photo, I don't see quite how. I have never had the kah-ho-nay's to do that job, always at the boat shop, but are you sure the ball is still in place. If it was not and you torqued to spec, could that be where the bind comes in?
Sorry I can't be of more help. Keep us informed.
Good luck

 

[BigBassh0le]

Re: 04 OX66 Shifting problems? Please HELP!

Thank you for your response. The ball and spring must still be in place because like I said I only backed out the screw 2 or 3 turns. Maybe its binding up inside It looks like when you tighten the screw it presses that ball against the bushing.
I?m going down to the boat on Wed to take a look. I really think the problem is that I?m off a tooth on the shift shaft seems like it goes into FWD very easily and REV takes some effort from what I?ve read on these boards and others those are the common symptoms.

I?ll post back soon Thanks Again.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: 04 OX66 Shifting problems? Please HELP!

Got one out front that the owner did the same thing on except the ball fell out and jammed the linkage. When he tried to shift, he broke the bracket. All he told me was he changed his water pump and it stopped shifting. Baffled me a bit till I saw the bracket move under the carb. Had to pull the power head to replace it. Be sure you didn't break the bracket on the port side that holdsthe shift rod in place.

 

[BigBassh0le]

Re: 04 OX66 Shifting problems? Please HELP!

Capt Ken I don?t think I broke the bracket as all I did was loosen the bolt about 3 turns. What do you think my next step should be? Should I try to remove the bolt and the spring and possibly the ball or do you think its ok.

Will loosening the bolt possible make the ball fall out?

After I tightened up the bolt and realized I couldn't shift I backed if off and just snugged it up with some removable Locktite and everything seemed ok.

I do however think that I'm off a tooth in the lower unit because it seems like I can shift in to fwd effortlessly actually too easy and reverse I have put some pressure on the handle for it to go in...

Any thoughts.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter..