1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in first gear

[gbearden]

I recently recieved a boat and am getting it ready for the lake. I took the lower unit off and replaced the impeller. Now the lower unit is stuck in forward gear. Turn prop cw and it turns. Turn prop ccw and it clicks. (I believe that means it is in forward gear). I turn the lower shift shaft both directions and nothing changes.

ANy Help?

Thanks!

 

[keiken]

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in first gear

Have u dropped the lower again to make sure the linkage is on right? I've had a linkage issue on my 15hp honda and thats what it was.

 

[gbearden]

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in forward gear

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in forward gear

Yes,

I have the lower unit totally off; i cant seem to change gears in the lower unit by turning the lower shift shaft. I should be able to shift into neutral, but after turning the shaft in every direction the prop turns the same.

ANy ideas?

Thanks for your response.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in forward gear

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in forward gear

Try spining the drive shaft while attempting to switch gears. Prop spins freely in neutral locks both ways in Reverse and locks in one direction and ratchets in the other in drive, having just drive is not enough to confirm it is correct it can be 180 degrees out of wack drive will be reverse and reverse would be drive if this is the case. You must find neutral to get your bearings. the cam should have three spots on it this might help you. The high side go towards the fron,t of the motor just left of the center facing the point of the LU. Neutral is the mid way point of the cam and will be directly in line with the front point of the LU and drive the low point of the cam will be just right of the front center point of the LU N= ^ R<- N -> F

 

[gbearden]

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in forward gear

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in forward gear

Thanks your for your response...

with the lower unit off; I turn the lower shift shaft 2 times to the left (reverse) or two times to the right (forward) and then back to the middle which should be neutral. It doesnt matter what combination of turning I do; prop still turns in forward gear. Am i missing something or is my lower unit messed up....:facepalm:

 

[gbearden]

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in first gear

Is it possible that the lower shift shaft has disconnected from the shift cam?

Just throwing that out there

 

[Big flop]

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in first gear

The lower shift shaft should have a lock
ring to hold it down in the lower unit.
If it's missing and the shaft got pulled up
or pulled out it could be the problem

 

[gbearden]

Re: 1988 Mercury 75 HP stuck in first gear

The shift shaft does move up and down about an inch