120 Force Reverse Problem

[Divedog]

I have a 1997 120 Force, SN 0E259083. When I shift to reverse it won't go in and makes a clicking noise. I know the noise is because it won't drop in to gear. When it does go into gear it will jump out if powered up. Anyone got any suggestions? It looks like the linkage is adjusted correctly so what else could it be?

If you have time when you respond please email me.

Thanks
divedog@aol.com

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 120 Force Reverse Problem

That's the Mercury lower unit and it uses a rotating shaft splined to the top shaft with a collar. SO while it may look correctly adjusted, it may be one spline off. If you have already checked the control cable for correct adjustment, try putting the engine in neutral and dropping the lower unit. Now, there is usually a detent in neutral inside the lower unit. Rotate the shaft until it is locked in the neutral detent and then replace the lower unit. Now, you should get both gears and neutral with the control.

 

[Divedog]

Re: 120 Force Reverse Problem

Frank,

Thanks for the reponse. Would that also explain why when it is in neuteral and I turn the prop it clicks?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 120 Force Reverse Problem

Possibly. The clicking sound is the drive dogs riding over each other and could be due to mis-adjustment. If it clicks in neutral, it means that one set of dogs is too close to the other--in this case, forward since you can not engage reverse.

If it clicks in reverse but does not engage, that still means the dog clutch is biased too far forward.

As I understand your post, IF you can get it into reverse it drops out. Correct? It will not bounce out of forward?

 

[Divedog]

Re: 120 Force Reverse Problem

Correct, forward gear is fine. Just when I shift to reverse it will just click and mmmmmaaaaayyyyybbbbbeeeeeee drop into reverse but if I power up it will jump out of gear. The sounds in neutral come when I turn the prop or when I am at anchor and the current turns the prop. It makes a tick tick tick tick. Hope you can understand my sounds effects, lol.