97Suz30hp stuck in forward gear

[working4u]

I have a very low hour '97 Suzuki DT 30HP. Neutral Safety switch and reverse switch at mtr.recently broke (Weak plastic finally gave on both switches) Engine would not start by starter. Went fishing. Manual pull started all day. When I returned from trip and went to flush my motor I noticed the reverse switch broke (Looks just like the Neutral Switch that broke). I also noticed the motor was stuck in forward. I replaced both neutral safety switch and reverse switch. Now able to start my motor with key starter. However, shifter indicates neutral and motor starts right on up with prop in forward clockwise motion. Kinda looks like the motor is stuck in forward. Idles great, but in forward. Shifter will not put motor in neutral or reverse. All cables are tight and move to correct position. Any fix ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[greenhead1984]

Re: 97Suz30hp stuck in forward gear

You might look to see if this connection (Circled in the picture below) is broken because the only thing holding in the rod that shifts the gears is a small piece of plastic that could potentially break seeing as if all sorts of other plastic pieces are breaking. It sits somewhat underneath the carbs, but by simply following the shifter you should see the connection fairly well.

 

[working4u]

Re: 97Suz30hp stuck in forward gear

Greenhead1984-Thank You. You were right on the money. The clutch rod seemed to have come out of the plastic clutch rod arm. The plastic keeper on the plastic clutch rod (that keeps the clutch rod in place) broke, allowing the clutch rod to remove itself. That whole set up is in the hardest place to get to. Any ideas of the order of part removal to replace that broken plastic clutch arm?

Again, Thank you,

 

[greenhead1984]

Re: 97Suz30hp stuck in forward gear

It might be easier to get to if you pull the carbs, you might even consider pulling the power head. It sounds rough but really its only held in by the bolts below it and some connecting wires. If you didn't feel comfortable pulling the powerhead, then pulling the carbs would probably be your best option.
Good Luck!