Replaced shift cable last year, Reverse hasn't worked since. I may know why.

[mylesm260]

Alpha 1 - MR

Last year I Changed a bunch of stuff, including my shift cable and bellows.
Since then my reverse has never engaged properly. It either grinds, or hits shift intterupt (and stalls the motor).

Now, I don't remember all the details of installing the new cable, but I remember I was too lazy to track down the installation tool (the very deep socket)

I also can't remember if my old cable was the "old style" that threads in from the back. But I'm sure I didn't do any tapping, so it probably wasn't.

The manual says you have to thread the cable into the bell housing far enough so that only 2 or less threads are showing. If I didn't tighten it down far enough, could that be the cause of my issue?


I get the feeling that my shift slider is hitting the nut/cable assembly, and not moving far enough to properly engage reverse.


I want to know if you guys think this is the cause, before I go track down the tool, and a re-seal kit. I'm hoping that the cable will spin inside the bellow, if not, I'm going to have to re-crimp it.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Replaced shift cable last year, Reverse hasn't worked since. I may know why.

If you know someone with a welder you can have them weld a nut on the end of a deep socket, that is what the merc special tool is. Any shop should have the mounting gskt kit in stock for your drive.

James

 

[ziggy]

Re: Replaced shift cable last year, Reverse hasn't worked since. I may know why.

don't know if that's your problem or not. but i think i'd disconnect the shift cable from the shift plate and try and shift it by hand before i did a lot of work. see if you can get rev. by moving the cable with your fingers.. assuming yes. next i'd make sure yer hooking it back up the shift plate correctly. 6'' i believe for the distance between barrels in fwd. go look it up in the book for the exact procedure. see what that does for you..
of course if ya can't get rev. with your fingers moving the cable. then further investigation will be necessary. and that will require removing the drive..

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Replaced shift cable last year, Reverse hasn't worked since. I may know why.

Update:

Removed the drive, fabricated a custom socket, and tightened my shift cable.

I removed the shift cable from the bracket on the engine side, and "de-routed" it from around the engine so that it could spin freely.

I managed to stop the shift cable bellow from spinning with the cable by holding it at the crimp with a pair of pliers as I tightened the cable. The cable spun inside the bellow crimp.

After some adjusting of the cables on the engine side, vowla! Shifts perfectly into reverse, and forward, and my shift interrupt is working as well.


Thanks for your help.