No Reverse (well sometimes)

[fisherman67]

Hello, I have a 1988 Johnson 48hp. The problem is when I try to go into reverse it starts making a grinding noise and I can feel it kicking back thru the shift cable up to the shift lever. I have tried adjusting the cable but if adjust it to where it goes into reverse than it will not go into forward.
any ideas on what the problem might be? P.S. I have also disconnected the cable and shifted it manually, it goes into forward smoothly but when I try reverse it starts kicking back and I have to keep pressure on it until it engages reverse, any ideas would appreciated.

 

[sutor623]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

Hmmmm, sounds like you may have some lower unit issues. I would guess the clutch dog is possibly worn out. How is the lower unit? Do you change the oil every season and does it have any leaks? Did you ever have issues with the motor kicking out of gear when you were riding?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

If it won't shift with the cable disconnected then adjusting the cable is of no value. You have a lower unit issue.

 

[L.A.Wise]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

As stated, it is probably the clutch dog. I'd plan on spending around $274 to $300 and have the lower unit rebuilt. I have no idea of the maintenance history of that motor, but it is a mechanical instruments and things do wear. You probably have some other warn gears and if you don't get the issues resolved, your either going to be paddling a lot, asking for tow's, or setting at home.

 

[5150abf]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

I second the clutchdog, if the gear and clutch are rounded it won't go into or stay in gear, when was the last time you drained and changed the oil?

If it has been more than a year you will want ot drain it now and see what you have in there, it is kind of odd that reverse went out though, it is normally forward that does this but if the engine has been taken from a moderate forward speed straight to reverse I could see that rounding the gear and dog.

It needs torn down to see what is wrong, you could start searching Ebay for a used lower as that will peobably less than rebuilding your existing one.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

Before tearing down the gear housing, check the linkage for play. If lucky, just a worn out shaft bushing.
If no play in the linkage, check axial play of the prop shaft.
Have you checked the condition of the gear oil?

 

[sutor623]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

It does seem a little odd that it is reverse, but what someone probably did in the past was have issues with the forward gear at one point, and just exchanged it with the reverse gear.

 

[toddschubert]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

Shift rod may have been turned to make a homade adj or accidentally when changing water pump

 

[boobie]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

Once the gear and dog jump plan on new gear and dog. They're already rounded off and no adjustment will help you. If you replace them check for any slop in the shift linkage.

 

[fisherman67]

Re: No Reverse (well sometimes)

Thanks for all of the replies. I have owned this motor for about a year and it shifted great for about a month then started grinding until rpm's came down before it would engage reverse. I eventually found a bushing that was laying around where the shift lever is and put it back in place but the damage had already been done as it will not engage reverse unless I idle the motor way down. Where can I found out what lower units will work or interchange with a 1988 48hp Johnson.