Force 120 won’t shift into reverse, will on muffs.

[Deanvh445]

Hi all, my force 120 won’t shift into reverse when in the water, it just grinds. I’m looking at the shift linkage and adjusted it all the way until linkage hits the back of the slide. There is a lot of extra room in the front of the shifter slide. When I remove the shift cable I can click the shifter on the outboard into forward and neutral but it hits the limit at the end before clicking into gear. Is this a lower unit shift shaft misalignment? I just got this boat and it pisses water really well so I’m wondering if the previous owner dropped the LU to do impeller and didn’t align it properly.

 

[Nordin]

We need to know the model number or a pic to help you.
They started to change the LU from Chrysler style to Mercury style in mid 90:es.
If it has the Chrysler style, yes there could be an adjustment issue.
I have not worked with the Mercury style, so maybe some other will chime in.

 

[Deanvh445]

 

[Nordin]

Okey, that is a 1995 with Mercury style LU.
The different between the Chrysler and the Mercury style shifting is that the Chrysler style shifting by pushing/pulling the shift rod up and down.
The Mercury style is shifting by turning the shift rod back and forth.

 

[Deanvh445]

Okay so basically I need to drop the LU put the shift linkage on the top to reverse, set the LU to reverse, then reassemble?

 

[Nordin]

The older Mercs that I have worked with and had the same or similar shifting the shift shaft coupling at the split has a spline and it is has a notch so the shaft only goes one way in to fit.
Some says you should put the gear in forward before pulling the LU off some says put it in neutral.
I would suggest you to pull the LU off, set the upper shift in neutral and set the lower in neutral then put it together and check.
Maybe the LU is worn out.