Mercruuiser Pre-Alpha Lower shift cable question.

[CableGuy1978]

Hello folks,

I am looking for some advice here on whether or not to change out my lower shift cable. I am currently in the process of replacing my bellows and gimbal bearing.
The cable itself is in decent condition, and moves freely and has never caused me any service issues. However, I will have to remove it from the transom to install the shift bellows, which may be a bit of an episode as the slider piece on the end of the cable at the outdrive end is going to be difficult to remove as the allen screw in the end is rusted and seized. This cable has the nut on the aft side of the bell housing requiring the special thin walled 9/16 socket.

Just wondering what some of you folks would do. It is easy enough to change out since I already have the bell housing separated from the gimbal ring.

Thank you.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruuiser Pre-Alpha Lower shift cable question.

I think you would be crazy not to replace it. Your 3/4 done with it. This will be the year it acts up, our pal murphy you know..

You don't need a special socket to remove the old one, just cut it close enough to the nut so a regular deep socket will remove the nut.
A 9/16" spark plug socket has a nut on the end of it, ready for another socket on it.
A 1/2" drive- 9/16" deep socket will reach without mods.
A 9/16" nut driver has a hollow handle and deep enough to tighten the new one.

or

if you get the OEM mercruiser cable, you can unscrew the end of the cable guide and tighten the nut easily, then reattach it.

Think some on here attach the new cable to the old one- maybe by tape or attach a string to pull it thru the opening in the transom as you pull the old one off, if you can't easily see it from inside the boat. If you do decide to to replace it.

What engine and year is your set up?
How old is the cable in there now?
Most inportant:
Do you have the manual for it?
Good Luck

 

[dubs283]

Re: Mercruuiser Pre-Alpha Lower shift cable question.

Think some on here attach the new cable to the old one- maybe by tape or attach a string to pull it thru the opening in the transom as you pull the old one off, if you can't easily see it from inside the boat. If you do decide to to replace it.

i still use the inner core cable from my first shift cable job as a fish for every shift cable job i do now

you just need to cut about 1" off the threaded rod of the old shift cable assy and use it on the boss end of the old inner cable, thread it into the old outer cable before you pull it out and there ya go, you have the fish wire thorugh and the threaded rod piece at the end of the fish wire ready to thread into the new cable

 

[CableGuy1978]

Re: Mercruuiser Pre-Alpha Lower shift cable question.

Thank you folks for the replies. Makes sense to change it out at the same time I have the bell housing apart, figured I would toss it out there and see what more experienced guys have to say.. The nice thing is that I only have an inline 4cyl engine and it it completely open which makes getting into those difficult places a lot easier, so installing the new cable should be fairly straightforward to fish through. I also like the idea about using the old one as a fish too.

Thanks a lot for the help and ideas!