Not engaging forward gear; Adjustment Issues

[Conspiracy]

Hopefully not breaking too many rules, crossposted from the controls forum where there seems to be little traffic.

4.3LX w drive 0b939774

Ive has the boat only a couple weeks. Forward gear has been very touchy after reverse but yesterday I was stuck in reverse or neutral, failing to come out of reverse, for about 30 mins.

Ive followed the adjustment guides in the forums but my brass fitting DOES NOT spin along the threaded portion. With the shifter manually pressed completely in i measure 5.5”. There is about 3/8" of free play it seems on the cable so it could be around 6".
I didn't have a drunk friend to hold the prop so it could have slipped out of gear while I was in the boat. Going to try again with someone holding the prop in the locked position.

The when i attempt to go into forward i can hear the gears trying to connect, there is a ratcheting sound. reverse works wonderfully.

i asked the previous owner about any issues and he said none. i’d like to try to adjust it before buying new.

the shutoff switch works, the engine does when i press it manually.

ideas?

 

[Conspiracy]

[No message]

 

[Rick Stephens]

Drill out the set pin and turn it to adjust.

Also, assume previous owner did no maintenance at all. You need to get into the service manual, which you can peruse at www.boatinfo.no , and go to checking, lubing and adjusting everything on the maintenance list. Doing this will save you loads of money and prevent having to walk back from inconvenient places.

 

[Conspiracy]

Thanks for the tip about drilling out the set pin. Is that the indented spot in the brass barrel from the picture?

I have a new cable kit coming thursday. Hopefully with your tip i can return it.

We’ve already done some of the basics: spark plugs, oil, gear oil, fuel/water filter. The previous owner has been good about providing helpful ominfo but ya, were trying to get the rest of the maintenance started

 

[Conspiracy]

Drilled out the brass barrel, got it to spin freely. I adjusted it to 6" and connected everything back together. First time I put in forward, the cable jacket backed off the threaded pipe. I readjusted and I've got maaaaaybe two threads left on the threaded pipe at JUST at/under 6" between the barrel and the end of the cable connector. I can get it in drive at that measurement. There is some ratcheting before it thumps into gear. My question - How much ratcheting is normal? I've never tested forward/reverse out of water and I'm guessing that the ratcheting, if normal, is hidden while the boat is in the water?

Once I could get it in forward, reverse became an issue. I adjusted the forward pin as ChrisA indicated in his youtube video (Definitely the best YT video on cable adjustment) and was able to get both reverse and forward gears consistently. Reverse seems to go in with less ratcheting than forward, given its the same cable doing both gears maybe that means I just need to do some more fine tuning with the forward pin?

Lastly, given that I am getting into reverse easier than forward, will adjusting the plastic barrel do anything for me? If so, which direction does what? Even with all the YT videos I've seen, they don't seem to address using the plastic barrel for adjustments.

Lastly lastly, could any of my issues be caused by the remote controller? I have a 3000 commander classic that doesn't want to stay firmly planted on the gear. I keep having to press it into the actual gear that turns the cables otherwise it is coming out and getting loose. I haven't been able to find a direct replacement for the remote control so I'm guessing I'll have to replace with a newer version soon.

Any other advice or tips you can share is appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Conspiracy]

Bump.
Any input on the questions above?

I got the boat going in and out of gear pretty consistently. I had to turn the steering to the right to get it in forward, easiest way, and reverse works very well. I’ve moved the forward pin up and down with varying degrees of success but can’t seem to find the perfect sweet spot. Still wondering about adjusting the plastic barrel on the controller cable.

 

[Bondo]

I have a new cable kit coming thursday.

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... I deleted yer other thread on this subject,......

Don't send the cable back, I think you need to install it,.....