18hp Johnson wont shift into gear after impeller change

[tondss]

ok guys I did an impeller change on my motor and I went to zip it all back up to find it wouldnt shift into gear. everything is in the right place as far as i know. The impeller hose is hooked up the rod linkage was hooked up good. I noticed if a loosed up the lower unit to were there was a half inch gap it would shift fine but as soon as i tighten it up it will only go in forward and neutral. it wont shift all the way down now. It was fine before. what is going on?

 

[racerone]

Did you line up the notch on the shift rod before you put the bolt into the the connecter ?

 

[tondss]

when you say notch do you mean the grove on both end of the rods? If so i tried to line them up best as possible. if its not perfect would it make that much of a difference?

 

[racerone]

The notch on both the upper and the lower shift rods MUST be lined up before you put the screw in.----And yes it does matter.---What other work was done on this lower unit ??

 

[tondss]

Ok thank you. It just needed some wd40. I works perfect now thank you. Nothing i just changed the empeller. And I have the exhaust gaskets now. i plan to zip it all back up today and see how she runs. i will give you an update as soon as im done!

 

[hondarider188]

could you post a picture of how the shift rods need to be aligned,because i am having a similar issue