Locked in Forward; after dropping L/U

[apaulos]

1993 - Johnson - 88 Special <br /><br />A couple of weeks back I pulled my lower unit to replace the water pump. Today I got busy cleaning off the unit getting it ready for me to replace the entire water pump unit. That was when I noticed that I can nolonger shift out of forward into neutral or reverse using the rod. <br /><br />I've never had any shifting issues and I was very careful not to bump or put any strain on the drive shaft and shift rod.<br /><br />Any clues? <br /><br />I drained the l/u prior to dropping it two weeks ago. After running into the 'new' issue with the shifter rod being seized, I filled the case back up. It didn't help but letting it sit over night. <br /><br />Appreciate any suggestions.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Locked in Forward; after dropping L/U

Have you tried rotating the prop while attempting to shift?

 

[DJ]

Re: Locked in Forward; after dropping L/U

Turn the propeller, by hand, and retry.

 

[Walker]

Re: Locked in Forward; after dropping L/U

Its hard as heck to shift one when the LU is on the ground. If you didn't have any problems with it before you pulled it off the motor then I doubt anything is wrong with it

 

[apaulos]

Re: Locked in Forward; after dropping L/U

I've tried rotating the prop and the drive shaft forward and reverse. <br /><br />The weird thing is that there is absolutely no feedback. The shift rod feels like it is welded to the case. There is no play, movement or feeling between the rod and the detent down below. <br /><br />I'm going to try turning the rod clockwise and ccw a couple of turns. I thinking maybe break the o-ring seals loose from the shaft (maybe the rod is ringed on). <br /><br />Can someone confirm that it's locked in forward. When turning the drive shaft clockwise the prop drives forward. If correct to move to neutral I should be pushing the rod down. True?<br /><br />Thank you!

 

[DJ]

Re: Locked in Forward; after dropping L/U

The rod is not that easy to move up and down-by hand. Pull/push harder. You're NOT going to break anything.<br /><br />I see NO reason to rotate the shift shaft.

 

[DJ]

Re: Locked in Forward; after dropping L/U

By the way-up-is reverse.<br /><br />It's allot easier to hook up the linkage if it is reverse (up).

 

[apaulos]

Re: Locked in Forward; after dropping L/U

Wow, my arms feel twice as long. I'm just back from my garage. After rotating the rod a few turns out and then in, I was able to get it into neutral then reverse. I then struggled to get it back into forward. <br /><br />I am only able to 'shift' by placing the unit on the floor on top of a heavy cardboard box and placing one foot on top of the drive while pulling with both hands (using a small screw drive thru the hole in the rod). Movement between one of the gears and neutral is about 1/4". <br /><br />I think I'm good to go. Just hard to believe that my stock shift/throttle handle feels so smooth shifting when it is so stiff down below.<br /><br />Appreciate all the help!