dual throttle sticking

[woodnknots]

I have a dual 55 hp Johnson setup with what I think is a MT-3 (maybe MT-2 given it is a 1978) dual control setup. I've only had the boat a few weeks, and the throttles have always interfered with each other when they passed around the neutral position (I fixed that part, I think), but now today, I can't shift the starboard motor to reverse. The throttle lever just stops.
I pulled the cables off the motor, and the lever operates smoothly.
I checked the shift lever on the motor, and the throttle. Both are operating normally by hand.
I removed the cables from the throttle controls, and they both slide freely by hand.
I believe I have gotten it down to the throttle control lever, but my question is is there a way to pull this thing apart and repair it? I think that the middle part of the control (with the large nut and teflon washers) is the part that is binding when it has the tension of the cable on it. Has anyone else seen this problem? I really don't want to shell out the $600 for a new control, and I wanted to take the boat out for Labor day!!

Thanks,
Dave

 

[F_R]

Re: dual throttle sticking

Should be a MT-3. They are fine controls, so good that I've never had to take one apart. Are you sure it's in the control? You do know that you may not be able to shift a motor that is not running unless you twirl the prop...don't you?

Morse Controls company was sold to Teleflex. Charman Enterprises, charment.com used to be the nationwide parts distributor for Morse, I don't know what the situation is now. Teleflex abandoned most of the Morse line.

Edit: I could be wrong concerning the MT-2/MT-3 distinction. Actually, I'm not sure what the difference is?

Edit Edit: On the other hand, you could have the Binnacle mount control that Morse made for OMC. That one was a MT modified to use OMC cables.

Whichever, if the problem is in the control it likely is wear in the "one tooth" gear arrangement. There is a parts diagram for the OMC unit on BRP's website.

 

[woodnknots]

Re: dual throttle sticking

Should be a MT-3. They are fine controls, so good that I've never had to take one apart. Are you sure it's in the control? You do know that you may not be able to shift a motor that is not running unless you twirl the prop...don't you?

I can shift it manually at the motor VERY easily if I disconnect the cable. This was something that seemed to be a natural progression of a very funky control. I've had a problem getting the controls to stop in neutral or pull out for starting since I got the boat. It seems as if it will work correctly when there is no tension on the cable, but as soon as you put tension on the cable, no reverse is possible. Forward is quite difficult as well.

 

[F_R]

Re: dual throttle sticking

Yeah, I suppose it is a wear problem with what I call the one-tooth gear, for lack of a better word. It is the basis for most single lever control designs, in one form or another.

 

[woodnknots]

Re: dual throttle sticking

Got the new control levers in today ($600 holy crap!), installed them on the boat, and now everything is hunky dory!
I bought 4 new cables as well, but I'm going to take them back, as the old cables are in very good shape. I only got them as a "just in case" scenario.

Thanks for the help!