Shift cable replacement??

[lonemust]

I need to replace the shift cable bellows on my boat.. I have a 70 S/C v180 w/ mer 140 eng and mc-1140 o/d.. I've had it apart but I couldn't geet the jam nut on the bell loose. Tried appling heat to the bellhousing and still couldn't get it loose. What is the best way to get the jam nut loose.. A shop told me to cut the cable out and use a socket on the nut. Then put a new cable in. Is that the best way to do it?? HELP PLEASE!!!

 

[cr2k]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

The cable has to come completely out anyway. It's not a jamb nut it is the cable fitting.

If yours is the old style and screws in from the transom side it is hard to remove with out either pulling the bell housing and sliding a socket (with external flats for a wrench) over the cable or cutting the cable and using a deep socket. (9/16) If you replace with the new style cable you will need a straight thread (Not tapered) tap to tap from the prop side of the bell.

 

[labzman3]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

Be aware,, most standard deep well sockets do not fit into the cavity where the cable threads into. I had a heck of a time getting mine out !! My socket was not able to completely get down over the head of the brass fitting. I eventually read on here about welding 2 sockets together,, and then I thinned one side down on my bench grinder .

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

Yes I feel cutting the cable is best,(on old foreward install cable so you can use a socket) as replacing the cable, in my opinion, should go along with bellows replacement. Whenever I do a bellows job, a new cable is factored into the estimate. The extra labor is nil,(your already there) price of cable not much, and customers brag about how much better it shifts. Happy customers are returning customers!

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

Be aware,, most standard deep well sockets do not fit into the cavity where the cable threads into. I had a heck of a time getting mine out !! My socket was not able to completely get down over the head of the brass fitting. I eventually read on here about welding 2 sockets together,, and then I thinned one side down on my bench grinder .

I got lucky and a sears craftman deep well 9/16 fit and turned I brazed a lug nut to the end of it, and was able to turn it with a cresent hammer. It KILLS me to spend $30.00 on a tool to take off 1 %@#&%@ nut

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

I got lucky and a sears craftman deep well 9/16 fit and turned I brazed a lug nut to the end of it, and was able to turn it with a cresent hammer. It KILLS me to spend $30.00 on a tool to take off 1 %@#&%@ nut

I hear ya! But as a professional, spending that $30, to complete the $700 job, is worth it. You have it for the next one, and it just paid for itself.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

Lol... I've spent way more than 30 bucks just on drawer liners so my tools don't scratch my purdy toolbox

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

Amen brother!

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

Lol... I've spent way more than 30 bucks just on drawer liners so my tools don't scratch my purdy toolbox

LOL Gotta keep it PURDY !!!

I hear ya! But as a professional, spending that $30, to complete the $700 job, is worth it. You have it for the next one, and it just paid for itself.

Oh 4 Sure ! If I had to do more then 1 or 2.. I couldnt believe my braze held with the backwoods ghetto rookie job I did

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift cable replacement??

The best thing you can do is use the new style OEM shift cable. They are teflon coated and way better than any aftermarket cable, and they only cost about 20 bucks more than the aftermarket cables. Then, you don't even need a special socket. That white cable guide unscrews from the cable and you can use a regular socket.