'82 Johnson 15hp, shifter lever contacting gears

[RedbaranTX]

Short story; I replaced the shifter lever and yolk assembly because it was bent out of shape and rubing on both the foreword and reverse gears(pic attached). I knew something was wrong in the first place because of metal shavings in the oil. Unfortunately, I'm getting the same metal shavings with the new part.

There were no visible marks on any other parts so I'm confident the same thing is happening again and my new part is the source of the shavings. Now I'm wondering if the old part was bent because it was rubbing, rather than rubbing because it was bent.

Any ideas what may be the cause and solution? I could see nothing wrong with the other parts, but maybe I wasn't looking in the right places.

1982 Johnson 15 hp, J15RCNC. photo of old part #0388416 attached.

Thanks for the help as always.

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: '82 Johnson 15hp, shifter lever contacting gears

That's a tough one, I'm thinking the shift rod is twisted somehow and is causing the clutch dog to roll to one side. Hard to say what caused it unless the motor was used in sub-freezing temp, thickened the gear oil, and shift lever was "forced" into gear? Have you ever had water in the lower unit?

 

[RedbaranTX]

Re: '82 Johnson 15hp, shifter lever contacting gears

Have I ever NOT had water in the lower unit??? The shift rod seems straight, I just had it out, and no sub-freezing in South TX. Good thinking though, you may not be far off.

After sleeping on it, I've got a theory and plan of action. The previous yolk was bent and rubbing on both sides. The new one is straight, for now. I'm going to pull it out and see if it is also rubbing on both sides. If it's only touching one side, it may be an adjustment of the Shift Lever. If it's hitting both, I don't know.

While I'm in there, I'm going to have to change the seal on the shifter lever, somehow.

That's all i got. Any tips would be great!

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: '82 Johnson 15hp, shifter lever contacting gears

I'm not really sure that your shift lever/rod is adjustable but, the best coarse of action is doing what you are doing and take it back apart for a closer look.