Replacing cables

[clemsonteg]

So I think my hard shifting has to be because of old cables. I want to replace them but I am leary about taking apart the control box. Are there any how to's?

Below is a pic of my control box, when I go to boats.net that's not the same one which is ousted for my 1978 85 hp Johnson.

Any idea what year it would have been from?

When I order cables should I order based off of year of the motor or year of the control box or are they universal as long as it's for a Johnson?

Is it hard to change the cables inside the box? Adjusting them at the motor I'm not so concerned about.

 

[emoney]

Re: Replacing cables

That box looks just like mine, and my motor is a 1979 model...if that helps. As for length, measure the cables you're replacing, if you can't find a size already stamped on your old ones. Once you remove those 2 screws holding it against the rail, you'll be able to see that
it's not that big of a job. However, before you order that, verify that's where your problem is coming from. If you unhook the cables on
both ends, and find that they now move "in & out" freely, then that's not where it's binding. Might save you some money.

 

[clemsonteg]

Re: Replacing cables

Well 3 hours at the dock and $175 later it no longer shifts hard. Not sure what part actually fixed it but it sheared the gears on the inside. I was able to pick up a used control box with the cables and harness installed so then it was a simple swap. Shifts much easier now so it was either the cables or the gears inside were already on their way out. Can't complain, at least it didn't fail out in the middle of the lake.

As a side note since I was forced to dismantle the control box I now realize it's not nearly as daunting of a task as I had anticipated.

 

[mstahl1171]

Re: Replacing cables

wow....i replaced my gears on my 2 years ago...only cost me 30 bucks.....well...now you have a spare for parts

 

[clemsonteg]

Re: Replacing cables

wow....i replaced my gears on my 2 years ago...only cost me 30 bucks.....well...now you have a spare for parts

Well given the right amount of time I'm sure I could have done the same, but with the situation at hand I had to do what would safely get me out of the water. Still had a good day on the lake so it was worth it in the end