Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

[FreeBeeTony]

Installed a new "upper" shift cabe this spring, lower was replaced 2 years ago and moves smoothly.<br /><br />I installed the O/D this w/e and was cheking the alignment of the shift linkage......seems I can get it adjusted in either fwd or rev but not both.<br />I can get it (fwd or rev) adjusted prop locked when in gear in fwd, then when I shift into rev it seems to be locked, but if I push on it too hard it seems to slip. Seems like the clutch dog is not fully engaging in both directions. I can get it to happen in either direction. Seems like this is a very "touchy" adjustment.<br /><br />Seems like there isn't enough "throw" in both direction. I used these instructions an an aid.<br /><br />Are there similar instructions for the upper cable? I adjusted the barrel on the upper cable so I have the same movement in either direction.<br /><br />Any help here would be appeciated. At the end of last season I couldn't get it adjusted in both gears and I thought it was maybe the upper cable......thats why I replaced it. Now I'm not so sure.<br /><br />I just read another post .........anyone ever hear of this?<br /><br />I know my drive is older, but the symptoms sound awfully familiar!<br /><br />Sorry for the long post!

 

[kwoolard]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

FreeBeeTony, sorry for the long post,<br /><br /><br />I feel your pain!! While replacing mine this weekend I had the same situation. It took about thirty minutes to get mine adusted properly, I too was following the installation and adjustment instructions verbatim. However, it only took two turns either way for the brass barrel to throw the adjustment out. I found my problem was not having the 1-3/8" dimension correct....this was from the core cable end to the cable tube support. <br /><br />If your cable is not pre-assembled, like mine was....the directions I used were as follows(this is straight from my Seloc manual):<br /><br />-Push in the cable core until fully engaged in forward gear. Measure from the core cable to the tube support. It should be 1-3/8". <br />-While holding that dimension put the cable guide completely over the tube support and secure the core cable to the cable guide.<br />-While still in forward gear, turn brass barrel until the dimension is six inches from center of barrel to center of guide hole.<br />-Install cable and do not change the settings.<br />-With remote cable in full forward position, turn brass barrel until it will fall in the guide post. Then turn four turns away from cable guide and install.<br />-Check gear engagement, and only adjust the brass barrel on the remote cable one turn at a time in either direction to find the "sweet spot".<br /><br />I know you and I have read these directions plenty of times, but I have found out the hard way that every dimension has to be exact or it will not work. Hope this helps!!<br /><br />That link is interesting, as if I recall, I had a lot of play in my shaft as well. Maybe, that is why mine is so tempermental!!

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

Thanks for the reply.........<br /><br />So the 6" is for the upper cable when in the fwd position?<br /><br />I will try this again..........hopefully tonight.<br /><br />I guess there really is a "sweet" spot...

 

[kwoolard]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

The 6" is for the stern drive cable(the cable to the lower unit). Set that at 6" and don't change it. Make the adjustments from there on out to the remote cable.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

OH.....OK.<br /><br />I will try it that way..........<br /><br />So after you adjusted the remote cable to 6" in fwd, you installed it and made any other adjustments on the cable going to the control box?

 

[kwoolard]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

That is correct, 6" on the stern drive cable while all the way in forward.<br /><br />Good luck, my only problem now is getting the shift interrupter timed right so I can get out of gear. And I think that can only be done on the water, since you need resistance on the prop shaft for the interrupter to work.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

Yes........the shift interupter does not come into play on the muffs.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

Tried it last night.......still not 100%.<br /><br />Will continue tonight hopefully if I can get out of work early!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

Hi Guys........... I Wish I could Help Ya's Out.........<br /><br />I've always used the process on This Page,.......... <br />The Key, for Me anyways, was to have Somebody to hold the Prop againest the detent in gear when making the adjustment...........

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

I'm doing that bondo.....with the help of my son.<br /><br />Just can't seem to get it adjusted in both gears.....<br /><br />If I get it adjusted in one direction.....it seems to slip in the other!

 

[Don S]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

You could have worn shift shaft bushings, or a worn shift spool on the inside of the lower unit.<br /><br />Didn't you just rebuild that drive?<br /><br />Check out section 1C in the link below, starting on page 38.<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

Thanks Don.........<br /><br />I am going to see if I have excessive play on the lower cable tonight.....<br /><br />If I do I will probably pull the drive and measure the play on the shift lever.......<br /><br />When I rebuilt the drive I replaced the gears, bearing carrier, and seals.<br /><br />Knowing what I do know I would have replaced the clutch dog and the sfift spool.<br /><br />If I decide to replace the shift spool and clutch dog, will the seals be ok? Is there anything else I should consider replacing while I am in there again?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Pre-Alpha Shift Linkage Adjustment

Well, tonight I checked the play in the cable as described in the procedure provided by Don S.....I was happy to find only 3/8" of the allowed 9/16" movement. I readjusted the 6" on the lower cable and everything seemed to fall into place.<br /><br />Guess the final test will be when I put it into the water.........<br /><br />Thanks for all the replies.........