1997 Force 120 Shifter Oops

[JSpann]

After replacing the water pump impeller again (4 years later) I experienced the same issue with trying to stab the shifter shaft when putting the lower unit back on. Unfortunately this time I screwed up and over-rotated the shifter on the lower unit, and now it rotates freely for a 1/2 turn, meets full stop at both ends of the rotation. Prop is stuck in forward, shifter rotation has no effect on the gears in the lower unit. I'm guessing the cam on the shifter shaft has come loose or is no longer contacting the gear shifting mechanism.

Any suggestions on where to start?

 

[jerryjerry05]

That's a Mercury lower unit.
​Google Mercury install lower unit.

If the shift shaft isn't in the right spot it will do what you stated.

This might work ??
​Standing behind the gear housing.
​Reach up and turn the shift shaft to the left all the while lifting up on the right blade of the prop.
This is F(I think) lift it up and install it trying not to move anything but the prop.
​Continue to pull up on the right blade of the prop.
This keeps it in gear and hopefully it goes in and stays in gear.
​Have the shifter in F
​IF ?? it goes the other direction even a tiny bit it can drop out of gear and you'll have to start again.

 

[JSpann]

The prop is already locked in Forward, and the shifter rod rotates freely with no clicks. By turn the shaft left, does that mean counterclockwise as viewed from above?

Thanks

 

[jerryjerry05]

Yes counter clockwise.
​It's locked but not necessarily in F
​Turn the shift linkage and spin the prop until you find N
​Then turn the linkage and pull up on the right prop blade.