Shift Cable Replacement

[Brentathon]

On an Alpha One (1st gen)…
Can I replace the lower shift cable WITHOUT removing the Bell Housing?
I really don’t feel like messing with or replacing the U-joint and Exhaust bellows….just yet. I just want to just replace the shift cable.
Has anyone done this with Bell Housing not removed?
Thanks!

 

[markhodges78]

On an Alpha One (1st gen)…
Can I replace the lower shift cable WITHOUT removing the Bell Housing?
I really don’t feel like messing with or replacing the U-joint and Exhaust bellows….just yet. I just want to just replace the shift cable.
Has anyone done this with Bell Housing not removed?
Thanks!

Absolutely it can be is the way I always do it

 

[dubs283]

On an Alpha One (1st gen)…
Can I replace the lower shift cable WITHOUT removing the Bell Housing?

Yes, but ime it's much easier to just remove the bell housing and replace all components w/oem. Peace of mind knowing all is brand new factory, ymmv

 

[Scott06]

I found it helpful if you have a V engine ( inline 3.0 there is acess) after you take the inner core out, push a weed wacker wire up through the outer sleeve and tie it off on the engine , unthread and pull outer sleeve out leaving weed wacker wire in place. Put your new outer sleeve on the weed wacker wire and push it in. I found that helpfull to orient the new cable out sheath in same position was it weaves out of transom housing and up between exhaust wye pipe and flywheel cover. Can also use an old core with end cut off…

i out some grease on outer sheath as i was sliding it through the shift bellows. You can just use a zip tie vs metal clamp on shift bellows and the factory manual gives a measure meant for how far to extend the shift bellows when you calmp it on new cable.

 

[Brentathon]

Absolutely it can be is the way I always do it

Thanks!
But I guess I was mainly wondering if I can replace the shift bellows, too… without removing the bell housing.

 

[Scott Danforth]

every video one ever needs for properly servicing a mercruiser alpha drive. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/a-couple-of-new-videos.570843/

 

[Scott06]

Thanks!
But I guess I was mainly wondering if I can replace the shift bellows, too… without removing the bell housing.

I think you can.
Also I think you also can take out the hinge pins without disconnecting the bellows from the bellhousing to get some additional room

Do yourself a favor and get a factory shop manual - well worth the money for these types of repairs/questions

 

[Brentathon]

The answer to my question is YES.
I was able to replace the lower shift cable INCLUDING the shift cable bellows, without removing the bell housing.
I had to cut the bellows clamp off with a dremel, because I positioned it as they picture it throughout the merc service manual, but NOT how it’s pictured in one closeup section (annoying that the manual has contradicting pictures).

Installing it this time was a pain… threading in the cable into the bell housing, while the cable needed to rotate inside the boat, caused much grief.

Hopefully I didn’t damage the outer cable…. I haven’t finished adjusting everything and running it, yet.