Lower Unit Shift Rod

[Kenerinn]

I recently completed a major tune-up on my 15hp Evinrude. This included a water pump replacement. Of course, I am having difficulty reconnecting the lower unit. On this last attempt, I successfully got the linkage connected, but then could not get the motor to shift. It was stuck in forward. In fact, past forward. I disconnected it again, and it seems like the lower shift rod will not change gears. How do I successfully change gears with the lower shift rod? Thank you for all your help.

 

[Crosbyman]

year mdl ??

 

[racerone]

Easy steps for you.-----Turn lower shift rod all the way in.-----Back it out so top points forward.----While turning the prop pull the lower shift rod up.----Bring upper shift rod all the way down.----Spread brass connecter so that upper shift rod slides in easy.------Line up the notch on upper shift rod with hole in brass connecter.-----Install the bolt carefully.-----Slide lower unit in place.

 

[Kenerinn]

year mdl ??

E15ectr I think 1983

 

[Kenerinn]

Easy steps for you.-----Turn lower shift rod all the way in.-----Back it out so top points forward.----While turning the prop pull the lower shift rod up.----Bring upper shift rod all the way down.----Spread brass connecter so that upper shift rod slides in easy.------Line up the notch on upper shift rod with hole in brass connecter.-----Install the bolt carefully.-----Slide lower unit in place.

Does it matter which way to turn the prop? Do I have to pull up hard? How do I know it has moved up into I’m guessing reverse gear? In other words, how much should it move up? After it is connected, should I shift it with shifter to make sure it is connected and working prior to bolting it together? Thanks.

 

[Crosbyman]

turning the drive shaft manually will tell you if you are frw or reverse
as you pull or push the shift rod the prop rotation will change in neutral no rotation ! .

pull it up has instructed and slide the end knob into the shift linkage bolt it up and retest from the top shifter handle

 

[racerone]

Sorry-----It was clearly stated to TURN the propshaft.

 

[Kenerinn]

Turning the drive shaft is definitely helpful. I had been turning the prop instead. Thanks. I’ll try it later today.

 

[racerone]

When shifting an outboard the gears must be turning so clutch dog and gears can engage.-----So you turn the driveshaft to turn the gears.-----Turn the propshaft to turn the clutch dog.-------Learning how things work makes it easy.

 

[Kenerinn]

Ok, gentlemen. I got time today to connect the shift rod linkage and I have the lower unit bolted up enough that when I turn the motor from the top the prop turns. How do I now get the shift at the top and bottom in the same gear? When I put it together the bottom was in reverse, so it came up high enough, and the top was in forward so it came down far enough. When I turn the top of the motor the prop turns in reverse, but the shifter is in forward (and stuck). How do I get them in the same gear and get the shifter moving correctly again? Thank you for all your help.

 

[racerone]

You assembled it correctly.-----And when you put the lower unit in place it should all be shifting correctly.------I can not recall or count on my fingers and toes how many of these I have done.-----Big question is ---Did it shift correctly before you changed the impeller ???

 

[Kenerinn]

It shifted correctly before. Bottom shift rod shifted into forward and reverse when I turned the driveshaft by hand. Top shift rod shifted into forward, reverse, and neutral before connecting. Again, I had the top shift rod and in forward to reach down the most, and the bottom shift rod in reverse to reach up the most. Racerone advised to connect it that way. I just don’t know now how you get both in the same gear.

 

[racerone]

Put throttle control in idle position.----You pull the bottom rod UP.------You put the top shift rod all the way DOWN.-----This gives you room to work.----It goes together and it should all be lined up and working as before.----Done this many times !!---Bottom shift rod turned all the way in ??----Are notches in shift rod lined up BEFORE you put the fine threaded bolts in the brass connecter ??----Those bolts and threads in good condition ?------Something simple is wrong here.