Shift Shaft repair

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dmdld

Recruit
Joined
May 25, 2005
Messages
3
On a 1994 Force Outboard used to drive a pontoon boat, we have lost either the forward or reverse gear. If we adjust the shift rod up we get the reverse gear, but no forward gear. If we adjust the shift rod down, we get a forward gear and no reverse. We encountered this problem when we drove the boat through some thick weeds. A friend thinks the problem is in the top end of the shift rod, calling for us to remove the powerhead to get to it. Any comments would be appreciated.
 
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Docdoc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 3, 2005
Messages
196
Re: Shift Shaft repair

Donna:<br />What is the horsepower and modle number of your motor??
 
D

Docdoc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 3, 2005
Messages
196
Re: Shift Shaft repair

Donna:<br />You should not have to remove the powerhead to fix the problem. You might be over adjusting your shift rod. Take off the engine cowling and disconnect the shift cable. Manually move the engine shift lever to forward gear while turning the prop clockwise until the gears fully engage. scribe a mark somewhere on the visible part of the shift rod to the motor leg. Move the shift lever back to neutral then to reverse gear while turning the prop counter clockwise until reverse gear is fully engaged. Make another mark on the shift rod that matches the one already on the motor leg. Make a final mark halfway between the two marks on the shift rod. This mark should be where true neutral is located. If the shift lever has to travel further to engage either gear, then you need to turn the adjusting nut on the shift rod in the proper direction until the shift lever travel is equal in each gear (forward and neutral). Be sure you re-tighten the jamb nut on the shift rod and re-install the cable. You should be good to go then.
 
D

Docdoc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 3, 2005
Messages
196
Re: Shift Shaft repair

I noticed I made a mistake! Travel should be equal in each gear (forward and REVERSE) not neutral. Sorry about that.
 
D

dmdld

Recruit
Joined
May 25, 2005
Messages
3
Re: Shift Shaft repair

Thank you. We'll give it a try. Sounds like something we are capable of doing. I really appreciate your answer. Donna
 
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