Changing shift cable, cost estimate??

[Keith7481]

I'm planning to do some preventative maintenance on my 98 Four Winns 238 Vista, and want to replace the shift cable which is gradually getting stiffer over the years.... Anyone have a ballpark idea of how many hours to replace for good mech??

 

[Keith7481]

Umm forgot to post details, 5.0 OMC with volvo DP.

 

[tgell001]

Its so easy and the part is so cheap just do it yourself. Took me 45 mins to do it for the first time a few weeks ago. Pull the plastic cover off the out drive and disconnect the shift cable from the linkage by pulling out the lock wire Do the same at the shifter And literally just pull it thru the boot by holding the boot in place with one hand and pulling with the other Take the part numbet off the cable and type it into amazon. (Under 50 bucks) Once you get the new one. Grease up the end and push it thru the boot. Route it back the way it was and reconnect it. 4 days downtime and 48 bucks with shipping and greasy hands. Didn't quite answer your question but it too an a mature under and hour. So the shop probably says 2 or 3 haha

 

[Sparkinator]

I agree with tgill. It is an easy task. Only one other thing is to release the anchor that holds the cable to the outdrive. It is one screw to loosen and the keeper slides back to allow the cable to be pulled free.

 

[Keith7481]

Thanks to you both, about what I expected and maybe I will give it a shot. I'm ok with a wrench, but was wondering which cover to remove from the outdrive...,On the drive, I've never done much beyond checking the fluid level of the outdrive, a pic would be helplful if you can swing it??? Perhaps I can just look for the shifter boot and take off the cover closest to that?. I"m assuming I won't have to replace any gaskets when I put the cover back on??

 

[skydiveD30571]

Hi Keith,

If you're standing behind your boat with the drive directly in front of you, the cover is the top part you see. It is just a basic plastic cover with 3 bolts holding it on. Usually Volvo Penta stickers on it unless they've come off. On the right side you can see the shift cable coming from the transom and disappearing behind it. No gaskets, it is a cosmetic and strike-protective cover for the shift mechanism.

 

[Keith7481]

Got it, and found the connection on the inside. Will definitely take this on myself. Thanks to you all, much appreciated. K

 

[dennis461]

Wear safety glasses, if you are working on the cable end inside the boat, a piece of fiberglass in your eye could ruin your day.
On my older boat, I had to lay down looking up inside the gunnels where all the loose fiberglass and foam hides.

 

[1981fiberform]

Couple more lessons learned. This was one of the first repairs I did when I became the latest caretaker of the family boat. I had the same intimidation about leaks. Turns out the cable goes in a tube or sleeve as it comes inside the boat that tube comes up past water level. So water can come in around the cable but it only comes up to lake level snide tube and can not get in the boat. Nothing for you to reseal. Very important! With the cover off have a partner shift forward and reverse and watch exactly where the shift lever stops. You will want to make sure new cable is adjusts correctly or your shifter could be straight up and your boat still in gear. Also your shifter may have more than one spot for the cable to attach. Make a note before you disconnect. Phones are great for this - just take a picture. You can get your phone all kinds of place your head doesn't fit. This same trick might get you the cable part number so you can have the cable in hand when you start. The part number repeats like every foot along the cable