Johnson '92 8hp shift rod installation

[wesman]

I have a 92 Johnson 8hp. I'm replacing the lower unit, but I'm having trouble getting the shift rod to seat in the gear case. Is there some obvious thing I'm missing with this connection? It seemed to me that the rod simply pulled out of the old lower unit. Why can't I get it back in the same way?

 

[mcallan]

Re: Johnson '92 8hp shift rod installation

The small horsepowers had two detent balls that if allowed to would pop out of propshaft. you might be wise to pull bearing housing off case install balls and then try to reassemble. Mike

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Johnson '92 8hp shift rod installation

The two detent ball bearings shouldn't be a problem in this case. Replacing the shift rod can be a small problem if the shifter cam (in the lower unit) moves a bit from center. The cam can get displaced just a bit and prevent the shift rod from engaging the cam easily. Patience is needed to insert the rod and rotate it until the flat side of the rod enters the cam. Downward pressure seats the rod. Rotate the drive shaft clockwise and turn the shift rod clockwise and counter clockwise for Forward and Reverse. The middle detent is of course Neutral. Leave the gear case in Neutral, place gear shift handle in Neutral too when you replace lower unit . Manually rotate flywheel to engage the driveshaft splines.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Johnson '92 8hp shift rod installation

The shift cam will be pushed out of the way by the cam rider, which is spring loaded inside the propshaft. As soon as the shift shaft came out, the spring pushed the cam out of the way. The unit has to come apart in order to put it back together properly...
- Scott

 

[wesman]

Re: Johnson '92 8hp shift rod installation

Thanks guys. Turns out with a good Mag-Lite, a 12 in screw driver, and a good deal of luck and patience I was able to reseat the rod without taking apart the gear case.