lower shift cable

[lynnboy021]

88 5.7 cobra. i think the drive was not in use for i think it was 2 years. i thought it was the cable going from the boat to the outdrive but that cable is new. i took the outdrive off and its the cable on the outdrive that is hard to move, s maybe it needs to be cleand or some wd40? i had the outdrive on the boat and with the boat running and if you put it in gear it goes in gear but its just hard.

 

[donzi gt230]

Re: lower shift cable

With the drive off and the cable disconnected from the engine bracket there should be no more than 2 lbs of push or pull to make it move. I cleared mine up with some 3 in 1 oil and an air compressor with a blow nozzle. I pulled the inner cable then sprayed the crap outa it and cleaned the inner cable and assembled. Smooth as silk after that. After all that, perform the tedious adjustment to the letter! If it's still hard to shift after all that, figure it out before blowing some gears.

 

[lynnboy021]

Re: lower shift cable

are you talking about the cable from the motor to the outdrive? the cable is fine. i am having problems with the cable inside the outdrive

 

[donzi gt230]

Re: lower shift cable

Inside the outdrive....I don't know of any cable inside the drive. The is one cable from the handle to the motor, then one from there to the drive. If you have another then I'm at a loss. So you're saying that when the drive is removed from the boat there's another cable inside the drive??

 

[lynnboy021]

Re: lower shift cable

yes the drive is removed from the boat. not a cable maybe its called a shift rod or something?

 

[donzi gt230]

Re: lower shift cable

I believe there was an issue with the bushing that rod rides on with the early OMC. Don't recall the specifics, but from what I do recall if it's hard to move the rod up & down then it's likely a bad bushing. Can you move it up & down fairly easily? Will it flop side to side super easily? BTW--just because the shift cable is new doesn't mean it's good.

 

[lynnboy021]

Re: lower shift cable

the rod does go up and down a littel hard but i dont know about side to side. if it is a bad bushing is it easy to replace and where can i get one?

 

[donzi gt230]

Re: lower shift cable

I think you have to disassemble the drive to change it, but not sure. I'd make sure to eliminate the more common possibility of a bad cable or bad control box (part with the handle) first. There's also the bell crank which can be sticking and was an issue on many units. Diagnose: with the drive off disconnect the lower cable at the engine bracket and shift the handle. If it's easy, then move the lower cable by hand. If super easy it may be in the drive. If at all tough to push/pull disconnect the bell crank and retry. Can you move the the shifter in the drive with your fingers or does it require a prybar? If you can move it with fingers it's probably OK.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: lower shift cable

I cleared mine up with some 3 in 1 oil and an air compressor with a blow nozzle.

Never ever ever oil that cable. Its not designed for that and you will ruin it if its a new cable. If its binding, then buy a new cable. Oiling it is a temporary band aid.

Sounds like you need a new cable from the top of the motor to the bellcrank. That is called the lower cable. Really doubt its the shift rod causing your problems(one with the fork).

 

[lynnboy021]

Re: lower shift cable

i will make a video

 

[lynnboy021]

Re: lower shift cable

so i was going to made a video on what i was talking about but cam was not working. so i moved the shift rod up and down and it moved freely so i then moved the shift cable and just a little push or pull it moves really good. i then installed the outdrive and now it is hard to move the control box. am i doing something wrong?

 

[Tyrant37]

Re: lower shift cable

Refer to the factory service manual. There is a multi-point procedure that must be followed. Also, the final step is to connect and adjust the throttle cable. If throttle cable is adjusted to close too tightly it will bind the whole entire works.