cobra shift issues.

[inohv8]

Greetings..
I pulled both my outdrives off of my 32 ft. bayliner.. both drives are right hand rotation.. my port side has a problem shifting.. It does shift but its hard shift... Since this was the first full year for this boat for me.. I decided to pull the drives off for the winter and see what goes on...
The starbrd. drive shifts not to bad by hand but the port is very stiff when shifting on the work bench... like I said, it does shift... is it possible that its only gummy? and a flush is possible without pulling it all apart? No water in the oil, oil was spotless clean and no metal filings in the drain plug magnets. I would just hate to pull it and distroy the seal... any thoughts would be appreciated...
Just to clearify.. when I had her out and tried to back into my slip, starbrd shifts ok but port was a hard shift but did shift with a few caring words..
I should note that the stumble switch works fine and the RPM is more than slow enough to shift..... its still stiff on the bench.. not like your typical outboard that slides in and out of gear on a whisper.
PS this is not the king cobra, just the cobra

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: cobra shift issues.

They are somewhat stiff due to the detents but if its really stiff could be an issue with shift shaft bushing or O-ring usually due to corrosion. Good news is you don't have to totally dismantle drive to repair. 'nutcase

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: cobra shift issues.

Greetings..
I pulled both my outdrives off of my 32 ft. bayliner..
PS this is not the king cobra, just the cobra

Howdy,

You NEED to provide more information.

OMC used the "Cobra" moniker from 1986-1998 or so. King Cobra was also used indiscriminately.

What year is your engine/drives to include model numbers?

If They are Dog-Clutch Cobras, your problem is frequently the lower shift cable and /or ESA. Either mis-adjusted or defective. No amount of oil changing or flushing will fix it.

If they are Cone-clutch Cobras it could just be a sticky cable (that needs to be replaced) or it's mis-adjusted.


If you're trying to fix it yourself, you NEED to be using an OEM service (not Seloc/Clymer) manual.


Cheers,

Rick

 

[bruceb58]

Re: cobra shift issues.

Rick,

He already has the drive off and he has the standard Cobra.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: cobra shift issues.

Rick,

He already has the drive off and he has the standard Cobra.

Well, I saw that..... But I didn't see a year model, or anything identifying them as "dogs" or "Cones" unless the mention of the "stumble switch" indicates an ESA (and hence a "Dog")

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: cobra shift issues.

The bellcrank is probably corroded.You will need special tools to re set it after you take it apart.Water gets in and gumms it up.
You might get away with remembering how many turns the screw came out and put it back that many turns.
If that's not the problem then the shift cable needs replacing.J

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: cobra shift issues.

He stated it was hard to shift off the boat. The shift shaft and seals would be my guess...That shift rod will corrode.

 

[inohv8]

Re: cobra shift issues.

out drives are plain cobras, flushing did help, cables will be changed anyway but the shift adjustment quotes 7 13/64 from plate to top of forked shifter in neutral.. but its off by 1/4 inch on the one that does shift properly and the questionable one, is now out of adjustment due to the tear apart and re-build.. it now shifts properly on the bench.. the good one on the other hand shows correct adjustment if its in the down possition and not neutral possition...
the measurments are from the omc cobra shop manual, year is 1989, no corrosion now exists, just the adjustment which has to be done with the lower gear box pulled off