oooops what could I have done shift rod help

[allinmygarage]

1988 Evinrude 28 HP on a pontoon.

So I went to replace my first impeller on the pontoon. I unbolted the lower unit and started to lightly pound on it to get it to drop down. After about 10 min of hammering on a cloth (protecting case) it had only dropped down about 1/8 - 1/4 of an inch. That is when I called the local marine and asked if there was something I was missing. Sure enough I needed to remove a small plate on the side and then loosen 2 bolts. The lower bolt being a set screw. After they were loosened it came right out no problem. I replaced the impeller no problem and bolted everything back up. It runs and flows water better then ever. However now it will only shift into reverse or neutral. I have rechecked the shift rod and made sure it is in the correct spot and aligned with the set screw. I can watch as my wife shifts the rod go up and down as it should. However it now comes short of going into forward. I have adjusted the shift cable and now it will come really close to the point that I can reach down on the engine and pull a little and get it into forward. It is currently adjusted all the way and will not go into forward.

So what could I have damaged or bent and where should I begin. Sorry for the long post and any help is appreciated.

-Matt

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: oooops what could I have done shift rod help

there is an indention in the shift rod. the bolt has to go thru the indention. did you by any chance, turn the shift rod? if you did you changed the shift rod length.

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: oooops what could I have done shift rod help

Hmmm you may be on to something with the turning. I am nearly %100 sure the "set screw" is in the indentation. I even went back and redid it to make sure. However the rod that comes down from the engine with the two bolts did spin easily and I may have spun it around.

So to shift into forward it pulls the rod towards the motor. Should i spin the rod right (clockwise) to make it pull the lower unit rod up more? I am assuming the only part that could spin is the part going to the motor.

Thanks,

-Matt