'93 Johnson J90TLETS - Shift Rod issues

[sixdeep]

Finally got my boat in the water with the old man and it wouldn't get into forward or reverse. We took it out and checked the cables and the shift rod. I had previously removed the lower unit to replace the water pump. From some youtube videos i've seen the shift rod should move forward and back, in and out easily whilst not connected to the gear linkage.
After much lubricating and moving it round it slides in and out fine but forward and backward its feels like its binding inside.
We put it back in the water and it works now but doesn't feel as it should.

My questions are:
should the shift rod basically flop forward and backward when not connected to the linkage arm to the lower unit?
If it should how on earth do i get it out to check whats up. Even if i could get to the bolt to undo the clamp on the far end of the rod the casing of the motor cowel wont allow the rod to be removed. Is there a way other than removing the entire intake manifold to get this rod out ?

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: '93 Johnson J90TLETS - Shift Rod issues

The shift rod screws into the lower unit. You can't remove/adjust the shift rod unless you remove the lower unit. The fact that the shift rod screws in makes it's height adjustable. On your engine the shift rod should be set to a specific height for it to shift properly into forward and reverse. My 1990 manual says the long shaft shift rod should be set at 21 27/32", set in neutral. It's likely this is also the same setting for your 93. The height is measured from the top of the gercase to the centerline of the hole in the shift rod. Anytime the lower unit is removed, care must be taken not to turn the shift rod, as that critical measurement is affected. If the shift rod was changed only slightly, you may be able to make a slight adjustment in the shift cable mechanism inside the cowling.

 

[sixdeep]

Re: '93 Johnson J90TLETS - Shift Rod issues

Sorry i meant the shift lever under the carbs that the shift rod connects to.
number 58 in this diagram - http://www.**********/parts/search/BRP/JOHNSON/1993/J90TLETS/CYLINDER & CRANKCASE/parts.html

EDIT wont post the link but its on the ********** site
1993 J90TLETS Evinrude / Johnson Johnson Outboard CYLINDER & CRANKCASE Diagram and Parts

 

[boobie]

Re: '93 Johnson J90TLETS - Shift Rod issues

If you want to take the rod all the way out you may have to remove the intake manifold. You could disconnect the linkage at the far end and maybe slide the rod out part way to see what's going on.

 

[MysticFisher]

Re: '93 Johnson J90TLETS - Shift Rod issues

I have a 93 Johnson 140, and had the same issue with it not shifting. It turned out to be the shift arm, which connects the shift cable to the shift lever. The arm swings on two plastic bushings, but it was so rusted up, we had to remove with a wheel puller. I cleaned it up, replaced the plastic bushings, and it should be OK now. Once we disconnected that arm, we could move the shift lever and shift forw, neutral and rev just fine. Will have it back in the water in April, so no final outcome yet.