2003 Johnson 50HP 2 stroke - Lost Reverse

[SkiSprinkle686]

I have been hearing a grinding and clicking noise when putting my pontoon in reverse. Well yesterday, it quit going into reverse completely. It's clicking real bad and the prop seems like it will barely spin. Someone at the dock yesterday mentioned it might be as simple as a cable adjustment and another person mentioned the clutch dog. Any suggestions? I guess I don't HAVE to have reverse but it sure does come in handy sometimes.

 

[racerone]

Check shift rod height.

 

[SkiSprinkle686]

Check shift rod height.

How do I do that?

 

[racerone]

Find the shift rod height on line===== 21 15/16" I think----Remove lower unit and measure shift rod height in neutral.-----Failure to have this correct may cost a lot of coins.

 

[SkiSprinkle686]

I bought this boat 2 months ago and the guy gave me the receipt where he had the lower unit replaced. I don't require reverse to be out on the lake but I sure do need it to work. I'm wondering how much this would cost if I paid someone to fix.

 

[racerone]

No more than 1 hr work.

 

[SkiSprinkle686]

Can I check to see if the cable just needs adjusting? Could it be as simple as that?

 

[racerone]

I am not there to have a look see.----So I can not comment on adjustment.----But yes it could be adjustment.

 

[SkiSprinkle686]

Spoke with a the best marine tech around last night. He said it sounds like the cable is stretched too much and cannot put the boat into reverse (which is where the clicking comes from) or the gears are tore up. He said the cable replacement is simple and cheap, however he said the gears are really pricey to replace.