5.7L Bravo II Shifting HARD

[wayneduck]

I have a 1999 5.7L Merc Bravo II that is incredibly hard/tight to shift between forward and reverse. Once I overcome the tightness, the motor/outdrive runs fine in forward and reverse. <br /><br />I believe this is a result from 2 days ago when I was in reverse and went to return the throttle to forward but it STUCK and I muscled it forward to get the boat out of reverse. I am not positive, but the outdrive MAY have been tilted UP (in the trailer region) as I had to lift the outdrive when I hit a shoal and beached the boat.<br /><br />I disconnected the throttle linkage from the elbow/riser area and the throttle portion is smoothe. I can NOT use my hands to push/pull the cable going to the lower unit to shift the gear, it is simply too hard. I can use excessive force at the helm and shift it though.<br /><br />PLEASE help!

 

[JB]

Re: 5.7L Bravo II Shifting HARD

Moving to I/O

 

[Mackie007]

Re: 5.7L Bravo II Shifting HARD

My 1996 Merc Bravo III has the exact same problem. I also confirmed the foward linkage was not the problem. I plan on pulling the drive this winter & changing the lower shift cable, but I'm just guessing thats the problem. Any input here would be much appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mac

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 5.7L Bravo II Shifting HARD

hello<br /> its time to remove the drive and open it up. it could be a bent shiftcam or a bent upper gearshaft. I would dissasemble the upper and insteck for any damage before any futher damage is done. make sure the cone is not burred or scared. you can inspect the cone and the cam without dissasembling the case.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[wayneduck]

Re: 5.7L Bravo II Shifting HARD

Thanks, I'll do that when I get my boat lifted out of the water in the spring. Meanwhile, the shifter has become easier after using it for a few hours. Maybe a line/lever got bent and is now beginning to "unbend" itself?

 

[tylerin]

Re: 5.7L Bravo II Shifting HARD

WQ, Sounds like a lower shift cable you've temporarily loosened up a bit.