Don't Get special tools

[Grumman59]

Re: Don't Get special tools

I got around the shift cable tool problem by welding a socket onto the end of a piece of tube. An old style tubular box wrench may also work if you can find one. You don't need it to get the old cable out, you just cut the end off and use a regular socket.

I found it helps to slide the new shift bellows all the way onto the new cable once you've fitted the cable to the bell housing. Then fit the bellows to the transom. If you fit the bellows first, you'd have to push the whole length of the cable through it, risking tearing it.

Re the exhaust bellows, I first stretched the new bellows over a piece of 2" plastic pipe to relieve it, then connected it to the transom end, then used a pair of old tire levers to pull the bellows back onto the bell housing spigot by levering each side on the outside. (The proper tool is supposed to fit inside.) It was quite easy.

 

[nola mike]

Re: Don't Get special tools

here's what i posted last year when i did the shift cable, as far as tools:
"3a. i used a kobalt 1/2" drive 9/16" deep well socket from lowes. it's BARELY long enough to get the job done: the driver won't get in there much, but it's enough to turn the socket. there's no problem with taking the old cable out, since you can cut the cable and fit the socket all the way on the old nut--this lets you get a good grip on it. on installation, you don't need to apply a lot of torque to this nut, so i didn't need a great grip. however, other ideas that would have worked included:
3b. welding 2 sockets together
3c. grinding slots into the socket, allowing it to be turned with an open end/crescent wrench (like a spark plug socket). i was going to do this if i had to, since it only requires a dremel.
3d. cut a notch/hole in the side of the socket, allowing the cable to exit. if you've seen an o2 sensor socket, you know what i'm talking about here."

as far as the exhaust bellows, i reused mine and didn't have a problem getting it back on. an exhaust tube is another solution that people use to replace the bellows--no special tool needed. i will do that if i have to get in there again.

 

[eedwards]

Re: Don't Get special tools

Thank you for all the tips i will have to look up exhaust tubes on here.
I downloaded the manual a lot to look thru there.Looks like since im not replacing the cable i just need to pull out the inner cable.

 

[kinghoser]

Re: Don't Get special tools

Shift cable tool -

I bought a 9/16 spark plug socket from Autozone $4.99. This socket has the ability to attach an 11/16 socket to the end. Now you have two sockets with a total length of 4 inches. Just enough to do the job!!!

 

[tombstone]

Re: Don't Get special tools

Amazed you removed hinge pin w/ 1/2" allen. The pins are torqued to 90# and you may of rounded off some of the edges using the allen. The torx tool w/ a breaker bar would of made removal easy.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Don't Get special tools

Amazed you removed hinge pin w/ 1/2" allen. The pins are torqued to 90# and you may of rounded off some of the edges using the allen. The torx tool w/ a breaker bar would of made removal easy.

Or, just follow the instructions in the Merc manual and heat them like you are supposed to (to release the locktite) and they normally come right out.

90 ft lbs is NOT that high of a torque value, it's the locktite.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Don't Get special tools

I did the shift cable nut by by getting a Craftsman 9/16 spark plug socket and putting a 5/8 long socket onto the hex that is on the back of it.
Make sure to put the new one far enough into the bellhousing otherwise you won't be able to shift to forward gear. There are detailed instructions in the service manual. I'm only warning you because I did it wrong and it was a PITA to figure out.