I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

[Friscoboater]

So I just put my drive back on after my restoration and my drive will hit Forward but just kinda grinds when you go for reverse, and has a tick when in nuetral. I can stick my finger under the drive and give the shift lever a nudge and it will go into reverse.

So, what do you guys think?

1. Could is just be out of adjustment from the restoration, and when I put it back together I spun the little brass ferrule one way too far? I have not attempted this due to the weather today, and the fact that I have a raging head cold.

Or

2. The lower shift cable is shot and I need a new one. Keep in mind it was working fine in October when I took it apart.

If I need a new part is this the one I need for an 81 260 Mercruiser?

http://www.iboats.com/Lower-Shift-Cable-Kit-Sierra/dm/*******.610644315--**********.562786429--view_id.172573

Also here is a picture of my bell housing (way back laster year when i did the bellows), do I need to do the retap thing to my housing? There is a nut on the outside.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

I would suggest adjusting as per the manual first, and then replace the cable if that doesn't work.

If you do buy a cable, buy the OEM Quicksilver one instead of the Sierra brand.

 

[ziggy]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

and while you adj. it and have the barrels loose. try operating the cable with your fingers. it should move nice and easy + make the shift from f (prop locked ccw) to r ( prop locked cw).

 

[Don S]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

The OEM cables are now teflon coated (have been for a few years now) they last longer, slide smoother, wear less, corrode less, and in general easier to install. No long socket needed, just unscrew that little white guide on the end of the cable and use a regular socket.
The end of the cable on the bellhousing end also is smoother.
Just not worth it to use aftermarket.

PS: there is no nut on the end of any Alpha cables, they are always threaded into the bellhousing. Only the Bravo cables have the lock nut. You already have the new style cable in your bellhousing. No retapping.
Unless a previous job was done improperly.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

Does iboats sell the oem model?

 

[Don S]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

Does iboats sell the oem model?

That's the sad part, no they don't.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

Don, would you try the adjustment first? I just do not want to waste my time adjusting if it is a waste of time. I just cannot ge it out of my mind that I might hav installed it wrong.

 

[ziggy]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

the lower shift cable is not really that hard to adj. basically, it's put the helm in fwd. shift the cable to fwd and keep it there by loading the prop ccw with a bungee or the likes, adj. the center of barrel and center of stud hole to 6'' center to center and install. read the service manual for the adj. it's only the first 4 steps, the rest of the adj. procedure is for the remote cables, not the lower shift cable. least that's the way i understand it.. s/m 6 pp 2A19.

 

[Don S]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

Cables do not fall out of adjustment. Just no way it can happen.
If a cable needs adjusted to work, it needs replaced. The adjustment might work for a week or two, but on that long 4th of JULY holiday weekend, it WILL FAIL. Murphy IS a boater.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

mine worked fine till i removed outdrive then reinstalled it then it would not go fuuly into reverse, so i slid the adjustment just a little in the slot and has worked ever since. I would adjust if lower cable shifts good takes like a minute on mine.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

I did the adjustment and everything is perfect now. I must have spun the adjustment knob when I was taking it apart.

 

[Don S]

Re: I think my lower shift cable is shot, is this the right part?

1 or 2 turns should not make that much difference. Will see you come Memorial day weekend, if not sooner. Don't forget, you have only shifted it on muffs, not in the water. That's where it counts.