Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

I took the hand tiller and cables off, and they are OK. Disconnected the throttle and linkage to horizontal shift shaft, and tried to manually move the vertical shift shaft to engage reverse. It will not budge. Does this mean that something is jammed in the gear case / lower unit and preventing the reverse gear from engaging? If so, I'll have to take it to a mechanic, because this is beyond my skill level. Or, is there some trick to un-jam it?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

Did you try turning the fly wheel as you were trying to shift it, you need to to help it mesh up.

 

[quicktach]

Re: Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

Have you tried moving the prop shaft to see if it'll move ? Is there good (non-milky looking) gear oil in the lower unit - no metal filings on the plug magnet ?

 

[Guest]

Re: Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

I took the hand tiller and cables off, and they are OK. Disconnected the throttle and linkage to horizontal shift shaft, and tried to manually move the vertical shift shaft to engage reverse. It will not budge. Does this mean that something is jammed in the gear case / lower unit and preventing the reverse gear from engaging? If so, I'll have to take it to a mechanic, because this is beyond my skill level. Or, is there some trick to un-jam it?

There not that many things in the gear case, like 4 gears, clutch and pin with gear oil. It not hard at all. Just have spare gaskets

 

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Re: Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

I did turn the flywheel while trying to engage the the reverse shift shaft. It seems like the vertical shift shaft does not go down as far as it should, when I turn the horizontal shift shaft with a wrench (I disconnected all other linkage).

 

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Re: Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

Have you tried moving the prop shaft to see if it'll move ? Is there good (non-milky looking) gear oil in the lower unit - no metal filings on the plug magnet ?

The prop shaft is free-spinning when I try to engage reverse, as well as neutral. Forward gear and neutral work fine. I checked the gear lube, and it is not milky. However, I did notice three or four small shavings on the magnet. The lube does not look like it has metal flake in it. The engine was serviced a few years ago, including replacing water pump. It was only run twice since then, though. Is this bad news about the shavings?

 

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Re: Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

There not that many things in the gear case, like 4 gears, clutch and pin with gear oil. It not hard at all. Just have spare gaskets

wei-med, I don't have any of the specialized tools needed to do that kind of work, even though I have the service manual. If I had some experience in this line of work, I would attempt it. But this internal work is probably best left to a professional.

 

[quicktach]

Re: Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

Metal filings on the magnet indicates some wear. If you're not wanting to take apart the lower unit, taking it to a shop is not a bad idea.
You could try the work, and if you get to a point you can't go further, take the unit, with parts to a shop.

 

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Re: Won't go into reverse: 1996 25HP hand tiller-shifter

Metal filings on the magnet indicates some wear. If you're not wanting to take apart the lower unit, taking it to a shop is not a bad idea.
You could try the work, and if you get to a point you can't go further, take the unit, with parts to a shop.

I think this is what I am going to do. I talked to a marine mechanic and he gave me a few tips.