Replacing my bellows - Shift cable question?

[slag]

I'm replacing the bellows on my 1989 Mercruiser alpha 1 and when I did this 3-4 years ago, I had to replace the shift cable at the same time. Fast forward to yesterday when I'm removing the outdrive and other parts to do the bellows again due to cracks and after taking the shift cable out, I noticed it was wet with water. The shift cable bellows looked dry, but the cable insert itself was wet. I dried it off, sprayed some wd40 on it, wiped it down, and hung it up to dry. I then took the sheathe and blew compressed air through it and some water came out. It is drying out now also. My question is, would it be beneficial to put a little wd40 in the sheathe before reinserting the cable, or leave it dry and put it back in?

I replaced the bushings in the bell housing with the updated ones yesterday with a C clamp and a couple sockets and am replacing all the bellows this weekend and buttoning it all back up after checking engine alignment (its off and I need to correct it), but I'm wondering if the water came from the faulty bushings and if I should put some wd40 or other lube in the sheathe prior to putting the cable back in. I'm thinking it should stay dry with no lube, but wanted input from here.

Thanks

 

[Sevenscrew]

Re: Replacing my bellows - Shift cable question?

I know you are not suppose to grease the cable as that'll gunk up. I'd replace it. It probably got in through the bellhousing but it seems you know that already

 

[becxlt]

Re: Replacing my bellows - Shift cable question?

I would replace the cable . That's a lot of work to go through and not replace it .

 

[slag]

Re: Replacing my bellows - Shift cable question?

The cable looks and feels new. It slides in and out of the sheathe like it did when I first got it and there is no rust or any sign of water issues with the core or anything else. It did not bunch up when I put the core back in the sheathe and pulls in and out normally. I don't think there are any issues with it.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Replacing my bellows - Shift cable question?

If that shift shaft bushing/seal leaks water it can get water to the shift cable. Was the old seal intact still?

 

[slag]

Re: Replacing my bellows - Shift cable question?

yes and no.. intact, but "loose" and brittle.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Replacing my bellows - Shift cable question?

but "loose" and brittle.

replace it, and the shift cable

 

[slag]

Re: Replacing my bellows - Shift cable question?

replace it, and the shift cable

Loose and brittle refered to the bushing inside the shift housing. I did replace it. There is no problem with the cable or sheathe and I'm not going to spend $60.00 on something that doesn't need to be replaced.