Shifting issue

[curtdurt]

1989 Evinrude 40 hp

My dad is having trouble with shifting gears. Upon a little investigation it seems the trouble may be with the shifter detent ball. It seems there is a ball, in a sleeve, backed by a spring which located on the shift selector detent. It seems to jam up specifically at the ball. The question is; is the sleeve supposed to be sticking up and visible? Is that supposed to slide in and out with the ball? Or, is the ball supposed to slide inside of the sleeve? It appears that the detent is catching on the sleeve.

Thank you for your time.

 

[racerone]

As a test remove the ball and spring and test the shifting.----Have you drained inspected the gear oil ?-----Those lower units are not considered to be robust in those motors.

 

[curtdurt]

Racerone,

the lower unit has been disconnected and removed. This is where he thought the problem was initially.

 

[racerone]

Sorry----I guess I missed that in post # 1 here.-----So the lower unit shifts properly and oil was clean ?

 

[curtdurt]

Racerone,

The lower unit shifts properly. The lower unit oil is clean.

 

[curtdurt]

Do you know if the ball and sleeve slide together as one unit?