Shift Cable Again...

[Bulbash]

Reading this forum there is a lot of issues with OMC shift cables.. I had a few questions before boating season starts. How do you know if your cable needs to be replaced? Is there a need to inspect or re-adjust anything while summerizing the boat? My transom was just replaced so the engine was re & re... OMC 2.3 Cobra setup

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

Generally, cable condition is assessed by performance.
If your drive shifts into gear butter smooth with 2 finger pressure in both F and R, (in the lake) and the shifter handle moves the same distance each way to engagement, then no adjustment is necessary.
If you want to check shift rod height and all linkage travel distances, then the factory manual specific to your year is recommended.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

If you have the drive off, you can disconnect the cable at the engine and put a spring scale on it. If it is less than 2 lbs, your good as far as force goes.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

Most cables are ok.It's the connection points that need cleaning or adjusting.
The shift point on the OMC Cobra,there is a bellcrank that gets corroded and it siezes.
You need to drop the drive and checkout the moving parts?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

As a former OMC Cobra owner that went through 3 shift cables, its the cable a lot of times.

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

thank you guys,
What do you mean by 2 finger force?

smooth with 2 finger pressure in both F and R, (in the lake) and the shifter handle moves the same distance each way to engagement,

When I shift into gear it takes quite a bit of a force to push it in from neutral, my wife can barrely do it. It kinda feels like shifting gears on old truck manual tranny... I never owned other boats so I have nothing to compare... Is that normal?

You need to drop the drive and checkout the moving parts?

This was done last August and I did not find any obvious problems...

Also, I heard someone said that by the colour of the cable you can tell if it is a new version or the old one is that true?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

If its tough to shift into gear, its more than likely your lower shift cable. Worn out helm controls can make it feel like that too although usually worn out controls just makes it feel sloppy.

By 2 fingers it means you can move your control with the force of 2 fingers instead of your whole hand.

Its true about the color of the cables. Problem is that even if your cable was changed when they made the switch, that is so long ago(23 years when they made the change) that it doesn't matter anymore.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

OMC Cobras shift butter smooth when all is working properly. A baby can shift one. Almost seems like a cone clutch drive they're so smooth.

If it doesn't shift like that, park it and fix immediately. If you break a shift cable or bellcrank trying to make neutral because the ESA isn't working due to electrical or mechanical issues, you can crash. You are also risking destruction of the lower unit.

A good read:
OMC Cobra Sterndrive Tech Info

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

You can disconnect the helm controls at the engine, and try moving the controls. If it moves really smooth and easy, then you can move on to the lower shift cable. I changed mine last year when I had to kill the engine to get the boat into neutral, and shifting almost required 2 hands. With the new cable on, the idle adjusted correctly, and the esa working, the boat requires about the same force to shift as the controls moved with them disconnected, in other words, very smooth and easy.

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

You can disconnect the helm controls at the engine

Does any have some kind of diagram or picture of what should I remove?

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

Did you mean, cable that goes from throttle to the engine (Red), disconnect on the engine side, and see if the throttle moves freely?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

Did you mean, cable that goes from throttle to the engine (Red), disconnect on the engine side, and see if the throttle moves freely?

There are two cables that go from the engine to the helm control. One goes to the carb and the other goes the the shift plate. You disconnect the one at the shift plate.

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

There are two cables that go from the engine to the helm control. One goes to the carb and the other goes the the shift plate. You disconnect the one at the shift plate.

After I reconnect it back would I need to adjust anything after?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

After I reconnect it back would I need to adjust anything after?

not if you don't turn anything and just remove the cotter pin.

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

Ok, I will try and see how it goes next weekend, I will have to pull the drive to change my bellows so maybe it is a perfect time to also replace shift cable...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

Ok, I will try and see how it goes next weekend, I will have to pull the drive to change my bellows so maybe it is a perfect time to also replace shift cable...

Before you do...buy the adjustment tools. They are on Amazon and Ebay. Abosultely necessary to do the job right. I would also only get an OEM cable. Not worth going aftermarket on these.

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

I have acces to marine parts distribution company here in Toronto.. Which brand of cables would be OEM? Is Sierra would be considered OEM? Also what tools should I order before I start taking things apart? Currently I got a few good sets of wrenches and stuff... Also any parts should i replace as preventative measures, such as hoses rings etc... The bigest concern is to replace it all at once since parts are not expensive, but taking drive on an off will cost me a day of work...

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

the tools he is talking about are tools specific for changing the cable - if they are not used, its kind of a crap shoot if it will end up anywhere close to right - and if even a little not right, it will trash the drive... the tools are easy to use, and changing the cable is very easy with them...

Edit: please no more links to your site and eBay

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shift Cable Again...

Sierra is not OEM. BRP took over the OMC parts and you can get them many places.