Shifting cam

[Keithodell]

Hey new to Forum. Having problems. keep breaking my shifting cam in lower unit. 1996 pro craft 120 force. I have replaced it three times now. It will work fine for a while then all of a sudden it will chip off where the shaft pin rides in the groove keeping it from staying in reverse. Could this be an adjustment issue or something?? Open to any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Shifting cam

It could be an adjusting issue: The cam has detents to lock it into all three positions. If you have too much "throw" in one direction, it is possible to overload the cam and damage the detents. You will need to 1. Ensure that the rod is in the correct spline position and 2. Check that the cable and shift linkage inside the engine hood are in correct position. Drop the lower unit and set it into neutral. Attach the lower unit with controls in neutral. Check and set everything so the complete linkage is neutralized and the lower unit is in neutral. be certain that the control cable is in the correct hole inside the control box and does not have excessive movement. (not sure about Merc 3000 control boxes)

 

[Keithodell]

Re: Shifting cam

Thanks for the reply. This is the procedure that I have followed in the past when I replaced it before being careful to make sure it was lined up on the detente of the cam. Seems like there're should be something to hold the shaft more steady other than the casing alone?? Wondering if case is just worn a bit allowing enough slack to keep it from staying engaged or maybe a shimming issue on the reverse gear?? Just brainstorming a bit. Just seems like it might be causing it to break by the spring loaded shaft hitting it. I'm still leaning on it being adjustment though. Thanks again for info. Gonna make extra sure I have it all lined up in neutral when I get it back together this time. Part is cheap but my labor is getting expensive. Lol. Thanks again for any input.