1996 Mercury 125 - no reverse

[jcanepa]

I have a 1996 Mercury 125 that does not go in reverse. The control moves into forward and reverse but there is only power going forward. With the engine off, if I manually turn the prop in neutral it makes a clicking sound. In forward the sound is louder and in reverse the prop does not spin. I removed the shift cable and manually shifted the gears. It goes into forward very easily and takes more effort to go into reverse.

Any ideas?

 

[merc850]

Do not shift into reverse without the engine running or someone turning the prop.

 

[racerone]

Adjust the shift cable.-----Was lower unit off for water pump work ?

 

[jcanepa]

Adjust the shift cable.-----Was lower unit off for water pump work ?

I removed the shift cable so I could manually shift by hand to see what might be happening. It shifts out of neutral into forward smoothly. Shifting into reverse takes more pressure. So I'm not clear on what a shift cable adjustment will accomplish.

No lower unit work has been done.

 

[racerone]

The clutch dog is spring loaded and yes as it moves to reverse you have to put more effort into compressing the spring.-----And the propshaft must be turned when you shift to reverse !

 

[jcanepa]

Can someone tell from these pictures of my clutch dog looks bad?