Lower unit - shift shaft frozen

[miket]

Johnson 115hp <br />acquire boat with lower unit removed, rebuilt water pump by prior owner. Installed lower unit and thought odd that shift shaft did not move.<br />Unable to put in gear, I suspect do to frozen shaft. <br />Is dissembling the lower end unit a DYI job?<br />Did he do something wrong when reinstalling water pump?<br /><br />I am a capable DYI mechanic

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Lower unit - shift shaft frozen

With the lower unit removed, which component is frozen... the shift linkage at the engine, or the shift rod at the lower unit? What's the model number of the engine?

 

[miket]

Re: Lower unit - shift shaft frozen

Joe, unable to shift into reverse or forward.<br />the shaft on the lower unit does not move at all.<br />Johnson 115 SPL XJ115HXECM

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Lower unit - shift shaft frozen

1998 115hp Johnson... I assume that the lower unit is removed and that the shift rod will not move. Hopefully you haven't turned that rod out or in as the measurement from the lower unit surface to the center line of the upper shift rod hole is critical.<br /><br />If you do move it, count the number of turns down to a stop first so that it can be returned to where it belongs.<br /><br />I'd suggest removing the cover that the rod passes through, sliding that cover up the rod somewhat, then see if the shift rod moves. It's possible that the rod has become bent right at the bushing in that cover. That'll jam it!

 

[miket]

Re: Lower unit - shift shaft frozen

Thanks Joe, I will try your suggestion.<br />Learned from previous owner that he had professional johnson repair shop look over lower-end unit and rebuild water pump, cost $430<br /><br />For that price would they have opened up the lower-end? perhaps they assembled incorrectly.<br />Mike

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Lower unit - shift shaft frozen

hello<br /> we have had a few issues here with silt building up at the shift shaft bushing and sticjking it. the bushing cover on that motor should have 2 seals(orings) and a gasket. measure from the top of the gear case(not cover) to the center of the shift connect hole. record it for later use. the spec is in the service manual but if you reset it to where it was you dont have to play with anything.<br />good luck and keep posting

 

[miket]

Re: Lower unit - shift shaft frozen

Resolution to problem:<br />I removed shift rod cover from the lower unit and drained gear oil. Looking down the hole i see the shift rod is jammed in between the clutch dog and the gear case, not treaded into the dog itself. Removed the shift rod and found the threads are stripped, was able to thread rod into dog to find satifactory shift movement. Well it appears someone at the johnson repair shop forced the rod in and didn't check for movement which would have tippped him off to a problem, rookie.<br />Will buy new shift rod.<br /><br />Thanks for the help