Force 85 won't shift into forward but goes in reverse help!

[Zack Of All Trades]

Hi guys, this is my first post here and I want to say this has been the most helpful forum out there with my bayliner project.

I have worked on this motor for a while and it ran okay, I was dealing with some fuel supply issues which i fixed. however the other day I was adjusting throttle etc... to gain top end speed as i was maxing at 18mph and I took it out and had difficulty shifting, initialy it would shift if i ram it into full throttle and would go about 22mph before i decided to slow down because i didnt trust it.

Now it won't shift into forward at all from the control box it would just clunk but if i put the control box slightly in forward and shift it from gear case it would go into forward no problems.

but if i take out of gear and try to go into forward again it wont go into it.

reverse works fine every time.

I also replaced the throttle cable, adjusted the linkage tab per the manual and neutral is properly centered. but that last 1/2 in push to get it into forward doesn't happen. even when engine is off.

Please help me as I wanna get out on the water this weekend

Much love!!

 

[ThomW]

What do you mean when you say you were "adjusting throttle...etc.?"
It sounds like the shift cable needs to be adjusted (and hopefully isn't stretched to far to be adjusted). When you messed with throttle cable, did you also ensure shift cable was still set properly? Seems like shift cable isn't pulling enough from control box to get it into forward. If it goes into reverse fine, your problem may be fixed with a shift cable adjustment. Take away a bit of reverse from shift cable and give that to forward. See if that will work to have it go into both gears fine.

 

[Zack Of All Trades]

What do you mean when you say you were "adjusting throttle...etc.?"
It sounds like the shift cable needs to be adjusted (and hopefully isn't stretched to far to be adjusted). When you messed with throttle cable, did you also ensure shift cable was still set properly? Seems like shift cable isn't pulling enough from control box to get it into forward. If it goes into reverse fine, your problem may be fixed with a shift cable adjustment. Take away a bit of reverse from shift cable and give that to forward. See if that will work to have it go into both gears fine.

I have adjusted the shift cable multiple times and put a new one in I also tried shifting from the shift arm while the cable was disconnected but that didn't work either if i go down to the gear case and shift it works but from the motor it seems that it needs a little extra push at the bottom to shift it.

 

[ThomW]

I have adjusted the shift cable multiple times and put a new one in I also tried shifting from the shift arm while the cable was disconnected but that didn't work either if i go down to the gear case and shift it works but from the motor it seems that it needs a little extra push at the bottom to shift it.

Well it seems like you have isolated the issue. If it won't shift from the motor with the cables removed, but will from the gear case, the issue must be between the gear case and motor. How are you shifting it at the gear case?? Did you separate the lower unit from motor?

 

[Zack Of All Trades]

Well it seems like you have isolated the issue. If it won't shift from the motor with the cables removed, but will from the gear case, the issue must be between the gear case and motor. How are you shifting it at the gear case?? Did you separate the lower unit from motor?

I push this down until the yellow marker is flush with lowerunit

 

[ThomW]

Seems like t

I push this down until the yellow marker is flush with lowerunit

Seems like your issue is with the upper shift rod then, the one that goes from the coupler you are pressing down on and the shift arm at the motor...

 

[Zack Of All Trades]

Seems like t

Seems like your issue is with the upper shift rod then, the one that goes from the coupler you are pressing down on and the shift arm at the motor...

yeah thats what it felt like and i tried to adjust the tab that has the two nuts but i can only reach the upper nut as its tight in there, basicaly reverse pulls the rod up which is simple but forward pushes it down and it seems like it needs a little extra push

any ideas ?

 

[The Force power]

yeah thats what it felt like and i tried to adjust the tab that has the two nuts but i can only reach the upper nut as its tight in there, basicaly reverse pulls the rod up which is simple but forward pushes it down and it seems like it needs a little extra push

any ideas ?

The upper shift-rod's nuts are easier accessible when you remove the black plastic shroud that is screwed onto the bottom cowl.
Once that it removed you can tighten the bottom nut to raise the shift-rod.
This normally does not need to be adjusted (ever?) unless it has been messed with.
Are you sure you have the lower shift-shaft set-up properly? I believe it's 2,5 turns out from being completely screwed-in
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

 

[Zack Of All Trades]

The upper shift-rod's nuts are easier accessible when you remove the black plastic shroud that is screwed onto the bottom cowl.
Once that it removed you can tighten the bottom nut to raise the shift-rod.
This normally does not need to be adjusted (ever?) unless it has been messed with.
Are you sure you have the lower shift-shaft set-up properly? I believe it's 2,5 turns out from being completely screwed-in
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

ow i didnt know the bottom cowl is removable! also lower shift shaft ? the one time i think i messed with shift is when i did the impeller i was able to use the boat for a while before this problem but i did have issues with top speed thats why i was messing with cables to begin with

 

[The Force power]

ow i didnt know the bottom cowl is removable! also lower shift shaft ? the one time i think i messed with shift is when i did the impeller i was able to use the boat for a while before this problem but i did have issues with top speed thats why i was messing with cables to begin with

You don't remove the bottom cowl! just that little plastic air-intake to get access to reach the two nuts for adjusting the upper shift-shaft.
I would disconnect the coupling that connects the upper & lower shift-shaft, then screw in the lower shift-shaft (count the amount of rotation)
then back out the shift-shaft 2.5 turns out NO MORE as it will disconnect it self from the internal mechanism!!! when that happens you'll be looking at a complete teardown of the lower-unit!!!
Reconnect the upper & lower shift-shafts, set in neutral verify if the neutral-switch is pressed in. now re-connect your cables with the hand controls in neutral.
Minor adjustment on the cable ends may be necessary.

 

[Nordin]

The adjustment of the lower shift rod depends on which typ of LU you have.
My OEM service manual OB4642 calls for four turns out from bottom for the two piece drive shaft typ and nothing more then bottom for the one piece drive shaft typ.
I would suggest you to check how yours is adjusted and try to turn out two turns and then check to shift it from the engine (upper shift rod).
One turn will give you about 0,04 in (1,0 mm) more movement.
You check the forward-neutral-reverse by setting the LU in neutral (upper shift rod disconnected from the lower), mark with a pencil at the lower shift rod at the end of LU housing (where the rod enter the housing).
Shift to forward and mark at shift rod and then do the same with reverse.
Check the distance between the forward to neutral and reverse to neutral.
The distance should be equal. If not adjust at the upper shift rod at the shift lever (two nuts) under the bottom carb.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The air box under the carb is removed by 4- 5/16 screws.
Then the 2 1/2" nuts are easily accessible, they are special nuts and don't come off easy.
Not very often do you need to adjust this rod, but I think twice in 35 years I had to.
Before you do this: try lubing the rod and maybe replace the seal??
Under the seal, corrosion builds up and squeezes the rod making it difficult to shift.

 

[Zack Of All Trades]

The air box under the carb is removed by 4- 5/16 screws.
Then the 2 1/2" nuts are easily accessible, they are special nuts and don't come off easy.
Not very often do you need to adjust this rod, but I think twice in 35 years I had to.
Before you do this: try lubing the rod and maybe replace the seal??
Under the seal, corrosion builds up and squeezes the rod making it difficult to shift.

do you have a picture that can point me to the airbox ?

 

[Zack Of All Trades]

The adjustment of the lower shift rod depends on which typ of LU you have.
My OEM service manual OB4642 calls for four turns out from bottom for the two piece drive shaft typ and nothing more then bottom for the one piece drive shaft typ.
I would suggest you to check how yours is adjusted and try to turn out two turns and then check to shift it from the engine (upper shift rod).
One turn will give you about 0,04 in (1,0 mm) more movement.
You check the forward-neutral-reverse by setting the LU in neutral (upper shift rod disconnected from the lower), mark with a pencil at the lower shift rod at the end of LU housing (where the rod enter the housing).
Shift to forward and mark at shift rod and then do the same with reverse.
Check the distance between the forward to neutral and reverse to neutral.
The distance should be equal. If not adjust at the upper shift rod at the shift lever (two nuts) under the bottom carb.

I'm gonna try that this weekend see how it goes thank you!

 

[jerryjerry05]

#46

 

[puffitu]

Seems to me the shift rod is either screwed out too much or not enough. With mine…88’ 125hp; I’m about 3/4 turn out where it hits the sweet spot. Now I have another lower unit which is off a ‘90 120hp; it likes 2 turns out to flow in and out of frwd/n/rev like butter. But…when adjusting and trying to get the best result you need to spin the prop as when adjusting from the helm

 

[Zack Of All Trades]

Hi guys, this is my first post here and I want to say this has been the most helpful forum out there with my bayliner project.

I have worked on this motor for a while and it ran okay, I was dealing with some fuel supply issues which i fixed. however the other day I was adjusting throttle etc... to gain top end speed as i was maxing at 18mph and I took it out and had difficulty shifting, initialy it would shift if i ram it into full throttle and would go about 22mph before i decided to slow down because i didnt trust it.

Now it won't shift into forward at all from the control box it would just clunk but if i put the control box slightly in forward and shift it from gear case it would go into forward no problems.

but if i take out of gear and try to go into forward again it wont go into it.

reverse works fine every time.

I also replaced the throttle cable, adjusted the linkage tab per the manual and neutral is properly centered. but that last 1/2 in push to get it into forward doesn't happen. even when engine is off.

Please help me as I wanna get out on the water this weekend

Much love!!

You guys are awesome! I got it to shift like butter by screwing in the lower shift rod and backinv out 2.5 turns then followed the manual to adjust the cable.

Thanks to everyone who replied

 

[Nordin]

Nice to hear that you got it to work with the suggestion to adjust the lower shift rod.

BTW All of us that usually gives suggestions at this forum to solve issues really appreciate when the thread starter give feed back how the suggestion expired
Thanks Aklidata.

 

[Zack Of All Trades]

Nice to hear that you got it to work with the suggestion to adjust the lower shift rod.

BTW All of us that usually gives suggestions at this forum to solve issues really appreciate when the thread starter give feed back how the suggestion expired
Thanks Aklidata.

Thank you! you guys actually have been huge help for me for a while, this is my first post because i didn't find an answer but i have been getting great help from everyone here.

 

[puffitu]

I found in my travels that not everything is per manual; manual is to get you there so to speak and the rest depends on many factors, such as elevation, temp, fuel, part quality, load, workmanship, luck, etc…certain final adjustments are made in respect to those factors. My two cents