20HP Yamaha shifting problems.

[Snakehunter]

My 20Hp 1985 Short-shaft Yamaha will not go into reverse without a grinding fight and then I have to apply pressure to the shift lever to get it to engage even partly. I was told I have to adjust the shift linkage rod but I don't know how the 2 bolts on the rod are to be adjusted. Do they go up or down the rod?<br />Thanks for any help offered.<br />Glen

 

[robards]

Re: 20HP Yamaha shifting problems.

If indeed it is an adj. problem you need to lenghten the shaft to give more bite to reverse. You back off, loosen to the lower unit, the bottom smaller nut, and move the larger nut up, tighten, the shaft. This will change the adjustment, so you may need to try a turn or so at a time till you find the sweet spot. <br />If the lower unit has been off and someone put it back on and the shaft wasn't fully engaged then the whole adj. may be off. You may need to start from scratch and make sure the LU is fully in reverse, and try again watching the shaft and nut...tighten the smaller nut to the larger one when done to stop it from moving.