1997 Honda 15hp, won't go in reverse

[vcaptain]

I have a 1997 Honda that I have done a lot of work on. The final thing that I cannot figure out is how to adjust the linkage to get F N R, I can get either F and N, or N and R, but not all three, trying to go in R makes a grinding noise and it never fully engages. I've tried adjusting the nut every way I can imagine and nothing has worked.

Is something damaged? Can anyone please offer some things to look for?

 

[gm280]

First question, was it work fine and just stop going into reverse, or did you replace something and now can't get it adjusted correctly?

Another thought, make sure your throttle is fully closed and see if that helps. If you have the throttle in any other position you could be running against a stop and keeping you from setting it up correctly... Just an idea.

 

[vcaptain]

I bought it beaten up, fixed everything, rebuilt lower unit, new water pump, thermostat, gaskets, on and on. The lower unit gear that attaches to the drive shaft had a spline missing, the others were good, replaced that part. the issue is when I try and shift it is like the linkage is too long. as I said I get F and N or N and R not all 3

 

[gm280]

I bought it beaten up, fixed everything, rebuilt lower unit, new water pump, thermostat, gaskets, on and on. The lower unit gear that attaches to the drive shaft had a spline missing, the others were good, replaced that part. the issue is when I try and shift it is like the linkage is too long. as I said I get F and N or N and R not all 3

Okay a lot more info to work with now. Do you have the manufacture's shop manual for that engine? If not I would strongly suggest purchasing one because if there is a sequential assembly to get everything in order to allow the F N R shifting problem, the manual will let you know. Can you shift it without the lower unit attached to the upper power head? Or just disconnect the shift rod and manual try it to see in the shifter is properly aligned with the foot to the clutch dog and pivot point correctly. If the shifter rod is manual shifted and still can't find forward, neutral and reverse, then you have the lower gear assembly messed up some how and that will call for it to be disassembled and properly realigned... JMHO!

 

[vcaptain]

Okay a lot more info to work with now. Do you have the manufacture's shop manual for that engine? If not I would strongly suggest purchasing one because if there is a sequential assembly to get everything in order to allow the F N R shifting problem, the manual will let you know. Can you shift it without the lower unit attached to the upper power head? Or just disconnect the shift rod and manual try it to see in the shifter is properly aligned with the foot to the clutch dog and pivot point correctly. If the shifter rod is manual shifted and still can't find forward, neutral and reverse, then you have the lower gear assembly messed up some how and that will call for it to be disassembled and properly realigned... JMHO!

I have the Clymer manual, it covers a bunch of motors. The way they have me adjusting the linkage doesn't work at all, I'll pull the lower unit and check it, I think the unit shifted by hand, but it's been so long I'm not sure. Thank you for the advise, I'll update when I get it apart.

 

[vcaptain]

I pulled the lower unit off, and it will shift into F and N easy, everytime. To get R, I have to rotate the drive shaft then it'll engage, otherwise I push it down and it springs back up. Any idea on what I should be looking for?

 

[pvanv]

That is normal. You can only get R when the drive shaft (or prop shaft) turns.

 

[vcaptain]

No Title

This is the shift lever in the N position. I took it apart, and it's a square fitting, seems like only one way to put it on, When I adjust the shift lever it moves as well but never enough to get in the right spot, any ideas? Seems obvious that something is wrong here, as the open part of the shift lever is designed to only start in N (you can see the broken off part I think) Ideas?