2004 SX-M Outdrive not shifting into forward at times

[83Evinrude]

My 2004 SX-M outdrive has been failing to shift into forward some of the time.
On advice from a response to a previous post (apparently lost on the vBulletin upgrade), I checked the following:

Disconnected the shift cable under the outdrive cover, and found the cable has 1/4 inch of free play. Is this too much play, or is it ok?
When I manually move the shift bellcrank arm, I get positive detents at neutral and reverse, but forward doesn't detent as well.

I manually shifted into forward then adjusted the cable nut to match the arm it connects to, and the nut is almost out of adjustment on that end.
This adjustment results in the remote control moving the bellcrank arm fully into the forward position, but it lacks just a bit of fully reaching the reverse detent.
Also changed the lube from Valvoline synthetic to Volvo Synthetic gear oil.

Went for a test drive and all shifts seemed to work fine, but the way the bellcrank feels when shifting into forward with the cable disconnected has me worried.
I'm wondering if the shift cable should be replaced, if so are these universal or specific to Volvo remote controls?
Do you just remove and measure it for length? Any good aftermarket versions available and if so where to get one?

Thanks

 

[skydiveD30571]

To your knowledge, has the cable been replaced before?

Last year I replaced my original 2007 cables after having some shifting issues like you describe. The new one, when adjusted, has the nut about centered on the cable threads now.

If you replace the cable, TFXtreme cables are what you want to go with. The only part of the cable that is brand-specific is the attachment ends (Volvo cables have the same ends which is basically just threading). You can measure your current cable or look at both ends for printing on the cable sheathing. The last two digits are your cable length in feet. I found my cable length and then ordered TFXtreme cables from right here on iBoats.

 

[83Evinrude]

To your knowledge, has the cable been replaced before?
TFXtreme cables are what you want to go with.

Thanks for the response

Pretty sure its the original cable, I've owned the boat since 2009 and not replaced it.
I'm guessing these are the TFXtreme cables you purchased?
http://www.iboats.com/Volvo-Universa...view_id.250907

Looks like removing from the outdrive end is pretty easy, how do you remove from the remote control end?
The cables in the link I provided are apparently threaded on both ends, was an attachment kit of some kind needed for the remote end?
Are the throttle and shift cable the same type just different lengths?

When you adjusted yours did you manually shift the outdrive into forward and match the cable to that?
The service manual I have says to put it in neutral and adjust the cable to that.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Yes those are the TFXtreme cables I purchased.

If you have a regular Volvo control unit, that end of the cable is just threaded into it as well. It is a little hard to explain but once you see it, you'll understand how it works. No attachments or extra parts needed. Yes, throttle and shift cables are identical except for lengths.

The OEM service manual for my SX-A drive (very similar to the SX drive) says to place drive and control in neutral and align it from there.

 

[bruceb58]

I use the TFXtreme cables as well. By 2004 most of the OMC Joint venture controls were used up but you should double check by making sure the cable ends are the same at the control as back at the drive.

On the drive end, make sure there is a washer next to where you put in the cotter pin. If it isn't there, that will contribute to some slop.

 

[83Evinrude]

By 2004 most of the OMC Joint venture controls were used up but you should double check by making sure the cable ends are the same at the control as back at the drive.

My remote control says Volvo on it and looking at the back side the cables appear to have the same threaded ends I see at the drive.
Both my throttle and shift cables say this on them "CC17214 TELEFLEX USA 31402"

So that should be a 14' cable and this one should work?
http://www.iboats.com/3300-Xtreme-C...2700077--session_id.042269169--view_id.169423

It appears to remove the remote from the boat, you take the rubber boot off of the shift disconnect button and there is a bolt of some kind underneath.
Then I guess once the shift arm is removed, the trim plate underneath is removed to expose the bolts holding the remote to the gunwale.

 

[bruceb58]

Sounds like you are good.

 

[83Evinrude]

After removing the old cables from the boat, it was easy to see the shift cable was not smooth at all.
The old throttle cable was much better and probably could have been reused, but since it was 10yrs old I replaced it as well.

I adjusted the shift cable to match neutral on the outdrive (play centered), and now there is plenty of motion to fully shift the outdrive into forward and reverse.
Much better feel from the remote control as well, I won't be able to test it in water until this weekend but it appears this has fixed my issues.
I ordered the cables from iBoats on a Thursday and they were delivered on Friday, can't get better than this.

Thanks for all advice provided.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Great news!