Shift Linkage hard to push forward and pull in reverse

[teletekman]

I have another issue that has been plauging me for a bit. My '82 Ranger Bass Boat which I acquired with a Black Max 150 bit the dust last year and have been slowly trying to get my newly acquired Mercury 1500 Tower of Power to work with the help of the great minds of this forum. I have noticed that ever since I put this 1500 on, I have had a hell of a time trying to get smooth operation of the shift controls pushing forward or pulling backwards. If I release the shifter and use only throttle, its a smooth as glass. It's only when I am shifting. I have tried remvoving the shift cable and it's nice and smooth as it should be. I can manually on the outboard move the shift arm and there is no problem there. It's only while the linkage it attached that it feels like its binding up. It does move, just feel like there is a lot of tension on it and can figure out why.

I don't recall having this issue with my original Black Max and had no problem getting the original control box to link up to this motor. I was told that maybe the shift cables are too long but looking at the bend I have it is no different than what I had originally with the Black Max installed.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Sean

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Shift Linkage hard to push forward and pull in reverse

Are you trying to shift with the motor not running? If so, it's likely that it'll shift hard unless you turn the prop by hand at the same time. It should shift OK from Fwd to Neutral, but the way the 'dogs' are cut on the reverse gear and reverse-gear side of the shift clutch, the parts need to be turning in order to line up properly.

If it's shifting hard when running, it could be an issue with the reverse lockout latch. If the lockout "hook" is stuck, it can interfere with shifting. To get it freed up, liberal application of penetrant may help. Grab hold of the reverse latch assy with a pair of Vise Grips & work it back & forth. Sometimes a careful application of heat will help loosen the latch. You should be able to easily move it against spring pressure, and it should freely return.

The lockout assy is designed to work with the motor mounted on the boat, and you first have to have the motor in Fwd gear before letting it come down and rest on the hooks. If it's in Neutral or Reverse when you lower the motor, the 'closed' lockout hooks will hit the tilt pin instead of fitting onto the pin. This'll make shifting very hard.

Another thing to try, with the motor tilted down properly on the lockout hooks, is to manually shift via the shift linkage inside (with the shift cable disconnected). If the little slider is binding on the aluminum guide, it'll cause problems. Be sure to turn the prop while shifting.

Worst case, you'll need to pull the lower unit and try and shift it by hand. Use pliers or Vise Grips (cushion the shift shaft so the splines don't get messed up). A good time to renew the impeller, anyhow!

If it's still shifting hard, maybe there's a problem inside. More fun and games! Be sure to check gear oil, if there ain't any oil it'll shift hard too!

Have Fun............ed

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Shift Linkage hard to push forward and pull in reverse

Disconnect the shift cable and while running on the hose, shift the linkage by hand. WATCH OUT for the prop. Does the lower unit shift correctly by hand?

How old is your shift cable? The cable inner liner gets 'grooves' worn into it by the cable movement on both the inside and outside of every bend, causing tight spots during movement. Unconnected the cable can move freely, when any load is applied then the cable pushes and pulls into these grooves and binds.

If the lower unit shifts fine by hand, replace the shift cable.