Forward shifting problem

[jessegon]

I have a 1995 Bravo Three stern drive with a 7.4L engine<br /><br />I’ve been dealing with a forward shifting problem for the past couple years, and the problem gets more frequent with time. I noticed when the boat runs out of the water (on lift) I can shift without any problems (works 100%).<br /><br /><br />I’ve had the stern drive removed once for normal cleaning and lube, but the mechanic wasn’t able to find anything wrong with the shifting. I had the mechanic replace the lower shifter cable anyway. The problem went away for a couple weeks, then reappeared. I then had the unit removed again, but still unable to find a problem, without replacing anything I put everything back together, it worked for a couple weeks then problem came back. Last week I took the boat out for a test drive hoping that the problem may have magically disappeared, but not the case, in the water it shifts into forward about 50% of the time. If I wiggle the control shifter I can sometime get it into gear. If I go beyond the shift position on the control the RPMs go up and the forward gear bangs into position. I put the boat back on the lift and tested the shifter again, it shifted 100% without any problem. I can’t understand why it works okay out of the water, but not in.

 

[ataylor]

Re: Forward shifting problem

Hi Jesse<br />My guess is that it is poor adjustment on the shift plate (bolted to engine). Determine which cable goes to the drive and adjust with more bias in the forward gear direction . If then you suffer problems in N and R gear then you have to adjust the throw of the cable (slot in pivoting arm, move down)and re-adjust cable. There is a special tool for seting this adjustment, a small plastic strip with holes and notches cut out, It would help if you could borrow one.<br />The reason this only happens in the water is that the drive in your gearbox, is taken up through a male and female cone assembly and these cone faces are simply slipping when a load is placed upon the prop.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Ataylor

 

[Don S]

Re: Forward shifting problem

You didn't mention any problems with reverse, so I assume it's Ok, if so, then an adjustment will probably do the job. Click here for a section of the Merc service manual on adjusting the shift cable starting on page 2A-34.<br />If your mechanic doesn't have the special tool #91-12427, it might be worth your buying one. They only cost about 7 bucks and makes the jobs very easy to do.