Johnson 130 V4 (1996) stuck in forward?

[Promaster 210]

Just doing routine maintenence this weekend, impeller and gear case oil change. I must have done something wrong when I put the lower unit back on. The manual stated to put it in reverse to pull the unit and to take the bolt out of the shift shaft. (located in a very tight spot) After we changed the impeller and went to put it back on , the manual said to rotate the prop shaft and to have it in forward. I dont understand why we couldnt just leave it in reverse and put it right back on. Anyway, now it is stuck in forward. I tried to take the shift shaft bolt out again and change the position of the control, then put the shift shaft bolt back in, but that didnt work. Anyone know where we went wrong and what is the easiet way to fix it? Do I need to pull the lower unit again? Thanks in advance!

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson 130 V4 (1996) stuck in forward?

Did someone turn the shift rod while it was loose? If so, you will have to take the unt off and reset it to the correct height.

 

[Promaster 210]

Re: Johnson 130 V4 (1996) stuck in forward?

We figured it out last night. The manual does not state the fact that you must move the shift lever back into reverse to line up the shift shaft bolt.
Here is the easiest way to do it.
1. Move the shifter into forward. This gives clearance for getting the shift shaft back in place.
2. Push down on the shift shaft while turning the prop backwards to shift the lower unit into reverse.
3. Put the lower unit back in place and bolt it up. You might have to turn the prop a little to get the driveshaft splines to line up.
4. Ease the shifter into reverse until the bolt hole in the shift shaft lines up and replace the shift shaft bolt.
This applies to the V4 and V6 gearcase at least 95+ as far as we know.