LU install troubles

[fishie1]

I think I'm an idiot (wife would confirm). Took off the lower unit on my 2002 90 hp carbed Johnson to change water punp. Easy enough. Came off easy, pump install easy- all by the book.

As I try to reinstall the LU I am having a problem. Gear seats easily but when I get the bolts on I have no reverse gear.

I am:
re- assembling the unit in neutral,
the shift rod length matches the specs in the manual,
the shift rod stays in neutral as I assemble,
the linkage gets slid to starboard,
the pin is re-inserted
but then I cannot move my shift lever into reverse. Neutral is fine I think because I can freely spin the prop, forward seems fine because I cannot.

I have dropped and reinstalled this LU over 20 times trying different things, e.g. installing in gear, changing the length of the shift rod etc. I know this is supposed to be straight forward but I am having the devil's time.

My arms are weary and I need help. Please, any advice before I take up golf?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: LU install troubles

Changing the shift rod length may be whats getting you off.Measure it by the book and try again.
Some of the other guys will have some tips.If i remember right i kept my control and shift rod in reverse when i dropped the lower,but mine is a much older motor so not sure if that will help you.
Hang in there,you will get some help.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: LU install troubles

I think I'm an idiot (wife would confirm).

TY for the laugh on a friday afternoon! Gave me a good chuckle.

What is the shift rod measurement you are going by? How are you measuring it? From the mating surface to the center of the hole? Are you sure the shift rod connector is 'seated' properly? If you unhook the cables at the motor and shift manually will it now work?

 

[wilde1j]

Re: LU install troubles

You are spinning the prop by hand when you try shifting, aren't you? Otherwise, the shift rod measurement must be right.

 

[bullgator99]

Re: LU install troubles

Last time I dropped the lower unit on my 2000 115 I disobeyed the cardinal rule, "If it ain't broke don't fix it", and decided to adjust the shift rod to the specs in the manual. Got the thing back together and had the same problem you did. Ended up having to turn the darn thing 3 or 4 turns to get it where neutral was in the middle with even throw between forward and reverse.

 

[fishie1]

Re: LU install troubles

Last time I dropped the lower unit on my 2000 115 I disobeyed the cardinal rule, "If it ain't broke don't fix it", and decided to adjust the shift rod to the specs in the manual. Got the thing back together and had the same problem you did. Ended up having to turn the darn thing 3 or 4 turns to get it where neutral was in the middle with even throw between forward and reverse.

Yup. That and I needed to play with the position once I attached the LU. It took some finagling by using a pair of needle nosed pliers to move the rod into neutral (at insertion it slippled into gear) and to use the play in the length to actually get the shift rod in a postion that the shift linkage would actually engage.

I think its fine now- water test tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone's help. Remember the first line of this thread. Now you all can confirm it too.