Help please. Unable to shift into reverse after having lower end apart.

[luke0094]

2005 mercury 8hp four stroke

I'm new to outboards, had #8 roll pin out to inspect. now after reassembly I can not shift into reverse. Still on bench with no oil in gear case yet. when I take prop gear out, I can shift all gears no problem. What did I do wrong?? Was ok prior to disassembly.

original problem was a spun prop, did not know this and thought cotter pin was a shear pin.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

I'll assume the lower unit is re-installed. Turn the prop or prop shaft while shifting into reverse so the reverse gear and pinion gear mesh.

 

[luke0094]

Thanks GA_Boater!

I tried spinning prop, it went into reverse but I had to kinda force it. Shift shaft looks bow'd. Now that I think if it, it never really wanted to go into reverse since I bought it last year.

Should I try and shorten the shift rod?

 

[GA_Boater]

How well does it shift with the motor running?

 

[luke0094]

Last year, it shifted extremely harsh! Always felt I was forcing it, took nearly all my strength to get it to go in.

Currently not running...Yet.

 

[luke0094]

I am thinking the condition is unchanged from last year after all. Would an extremely hard to engage reverse be an adjustment issue? I can see the shift linkage binding from the load when in reverse.

Thanks.