Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help please!

[mtcaves]

Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help please!

Hello, I have a 86 21' Carrera with a 2007 Mercruiser engine with a 1989 OMC outdrive. Put it in the water and shifted reverse and fwd. fine. Got to the dock to get the trailer to take the boat out of the water and reverse will not go in, it grinds and does not catch in reverse. Fwd is fine but I noticed when I put it in Neutral the prop turns so I have take the control and move it a little like I am putting it in reverse to get it into neutral. Cables, lower end? Any ideas? It is going into the shop on Thursday, but I wish I could fix it myself before paying big money. Thanks in advance for any help.

Allen

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help ple

Re: Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help ple

Sounds like a classic Cobra shift cable issue.

 

[mtcaves]

Re: Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help ple

Re: Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help ple

Sounds like a classic Cobra shift cable issue.

Is there adjustments on these? If so, does the adjustment come from the Front stick or on top of the engine where they come together? Thanks.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help ple

Re: Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help ple

When you get that far out of adjustment, its going to be the shift cable. Adjusting it will be a temporary fix and in the mean time, you will probably damage your drive.

 

[4Winns2]

Re: Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help ple

Re: Grinding in Reverse & not going into reverse, OMC Outdrive, just started Help ple

When you get that far out of adjustment, its going to be the shift cable. Adjusting it will be a temporary fix and in the mean time, you will probably damage your drive.

I agree with Bruce here. You're better off replacing the lower shift cable. I just did that job this past week and I'm now in process of adjusting the cable.

One piece of advise if you're going to do this yourself (use the OMC manual for guidance and nothing else- -you can download it for free from Iboats): be sure and attach the new cable to the old one with tape so you can snake the new one in as you pull the old one out. I found the OEM cable for $83.00 + shipping and the shift bellows for $8. It's not a bad job if feel comfortable pulling the outdrive and the pivot housing. And, while in the pivot housing, it gives you a good opportunity to change exhaust bellows and gimbal bellows while you're down there. If you have questions, I'll help as much as I can.