nnk_boater
Cadet
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2009
- Messages
- 22
I can shift into reverse on the muffs, but not in the water. After eliminating the shift cable adjustments and failing to find a used lower unit locally in my price range, I decided to open it up and see what I could find. Here is what I found.
http://s27.photobucket.com/user/nnk_boater/library/1997 Mercury Force 120/Lower Unit
What I did not find was three cam follower metal balls, I only found two. I removed the hub by lifting it up and out so, nothing fell out. When I looked down inside, I saw only two balls sitting on the cam follower. The shift cam is broken and I need a new clutch. I was going to get a new reverse gear, but after seeing the price, I think I like the one I have.
Questions:
1. Do I have enough surface left on the reverse gear dogs to reuse it as is?
2. Is a broken shift cam a common failure? How do I prevent the new one from breaking?
The previous owner paid $125 for the dealer to "DIAGNOSE AND ADJUST SHIFT CABLE" just a month before I bought the boat. When I read this, I concluded that the lower unit must be in good working order, the dealer just adjusted it.
3. Any ideas as to why I only have two cam follower metal balls?
Last, do I have to find that Quicksilver 2-4-Cw/Teflon grease for when it comes time to put it back together?
http://s27.photobucket.com/user/nnk_boater/library/1997 Mercury Force 120/Lower Unit
What I did not find was three cam follower metal balls, I only found two. I removed the hub by lifting it up and out so, nothing fell out. When I looked down inside, I saw only two balls sitting on the cam follower. The shift cam is broken and I need a new clutch. I was going to get a new reverse gear, but after seeing the price, I think I like the one I have.
Questions:
1. Do I have enough surface left on the reverse gear dogs to reuse it as is?
2. Is a broken shift cam a common failure? How do I prevent the new one from breaking?
The previous owner paid $125 for the dealer to "DIAGNOSE AND ADJUST SHIFT CABLE" just a month before I bought the boat. When I read this, I concluded that the lower unit must be in good working order, the dealer just adjusted it.
3. Any ideas as to why I only have two cam follower metal balls?
Last, do I have to find that Quicksilver 2-4-Cw/Teflon grease for when it comes time to put it back together?
. I know this because SEI sells a 3 year warranted model but it only comes in 6 jaw so, it is not plug and play. It would be about $1000 to go that route (and lots of hours of my labor). This is more than I want to invest plus, I would then have a Chinese lower unit and I'm not sure how long that would last. Mine is 17 years old and needs a new clutch and shift cam. Not bad. I've not needed any special tools so far and I don't foresee the need for any.