2002 Mercury 150 hp Saltwater Series.

[focus101]

Hi,

Help if you can. Shifter will not shift. Only shifts when gear cable is disconnected at motor. Removed the lower unit. The shift shaft on lower unit shifts fine when I turn prop shaft. Also removed the linkage under the cowl connected to the upper shift rod. I can't move the upper shift rod by hand . Trying to move it side to side it's frozen . Will the upper shift rod move by hand with everything disconnected ? Does anyone know how to get it to move ? Will I damage it by hitting it with a hammer if I can . Has anyone had this problem ? Any ideas ?

 

[Dukedog]

so you're sayin' with tha cable disconnected at anchor bracket AND gearcase removed tha shift shaft goin' thru tha down housin' will not move??... it should move freely..... if not its probably crusted up like tha power head studs do sometimes?.. must be a salt water motor...........

 

[focus101]

Yes exactly. Do you know any way to get lubrication in there from the top ? Hopefully to loosen it up.

 

[Dukedog]

you might try some PB blaster on it.. will take some time if it works at all.. not really any way ta get heat on it is there?.. might get some vice grips on tha bottom and gently move it around after it soaks a while?. might tap on it from tha bottom with a mallet or 2X and hammer?.. something i've never seen so..............?

 

[focus101]

Thanks does the rod rotate inside or outside so I can put pliers on it from the bottom and twist? Yes can't get heat no room

 

[Dukedog]

rotates inside tha adapter plate..............

 

[focus101]

Dog you are the man. Thanks for the idea . I tapped the rod from the bottom got it to break free. Soaking it from the top with PB. Do you know if turning the rod clockwise from the top is forward ? Would like to put the lower unit on in neutral.

 

[Dukedog]

clockwise will be forward.. put all tha brackets back in place with shift cable attached and set tha "slide" in tha anchor bracket between tha "neutral" marks.... you may/may not need ta move tha barrel nut ta match neutral on tha shifter...

if you have a "remote start" button it makes case install lots easier....

 

[focus101]

Thanks for your help.