No Reverse

[jerlap]

After changing my outdrive I cannot get into reverse. I have read other threads and haven't seen anything that might help. Tried adjustments on shift cables with no luck. If I take the barrel off the top stud and move it forward it is in the proper place. Not sure were to go or what to do. Can an adjustment be made at the shift control? Help would be appreciated. Thanks...

 

[Fishermark]

After changing my outdrive I cannot get into reverse.

What does that mean that you changed your outdrive? Put a completely different outdrive on? Did you do anything to the outdrive prior to installing it? What outdrive is it? Need a little more information.

 

[jerlap]

Sorry. I had a problem with an outdrive (Alpha 1) and because I have 2 boats I took an outdrive off my other boat(motor issues). Again alpha1. I did nothing to this outdrive befpre I attempted to install.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Either the other outdrive has issues or you installed the drive improperly. nothing should change just by installing a different drive

 

[stonyloam]

If you can move the control freely wot forward to wot reverse, chances are that the roller on the upper shift shaft lever has slipped from between the two arms of the shift slide.

 

[jerlap]

BT Doctur I agree and that's why I was asking for help. Stonyloam how can that happen? My shift cables are barely a season old. I have taken that outdrive off and put on a few times now with the same results. Shift shaft is locked in forward when I put it on. If I put my hand under and move the shift shaft less than a quarter inch its good. Was wondering of other adjustments I might have missed.

 

[Bt Doctur]

~~Shift shaft is locked in forward when I put it on. If I put my hand under and move the shift shaft less than a quarter inch its good. Was wondering of other adjustments I might have missed.

with the shift shaft in fwd and the control box in fwd and the drive installed YOU CANNOT MOVE THE SHOES A QUARTER INCH

 

[ktbarrentine]

Need to answer the question whether or not you can move your shift lever from FWD to Neutral to REV easily with no corresponding shift of the outdrive to REV. If that is the case, then most likely cause is the shift slide in the bell housing is not properly engaged with the roller on the upper shift shaft. This can happen without notice when putting the drive on the bell housing. I have a nifty little plastic device to ensure proper engagement.

 

[stonyloam]

OK here is a shift slide: http://www.mercstuff.com/shiftcable1.htm with kt's plastic thingy in the second photo you can see the two arms on the slide. There is a small roller on the upper shift shaft lever that fits between those arms. When you shift to forward the slide moves aft and the forward arm pushes on the roller rotating the ss CW into F. When shifting to R the slide moves forward and the aft arm pushes the roller rotating the ss CCW into R. If the roller is not between the arms and is behind the aft arm it will shift into F because the aft arm pushes the roller, but when you shift to R the slide moves forward but there is no arm to push the roller CCW into R. So make sure the roller is captured between the arms. The control will move through the full range and shift into F but not R, and the fact that you can move the shift shaft points to this being the case.

 

[jerlap]

Stonyloam I understand what you are saying and as I am putting my out drive on I am stopping and checking where that roller is before putting nuts on. I have no problem starting again its only 6 nuts..When I trim up out drive, I put my hand in to check the intermediate shift shaft and it has turned, just not enough.

 

[stonyloam]

With the shift slide right, there should be no movement in the shoe, it should be held solidly in place. When you put it back together check to see the roller on the upper shift shaft lever is in good shape and the lever is not loose on the shaft.

 

[jerlap]

I took off the out drive and checked the roller and upper shift shaft and both seem to good. There is no play in them. There is no problem forward but getting reverse to lock is the issue. Is there adjustments on the cables that I am missing?

 

[Fishermark]

You can adjust the slot where the cable attaches, but if that doesn't work then you might have a worn shift spool. Here is a video I did checking my outdrive for wear.