Shift cable sanity check

[sidechoke67]

I am about to order new shift cables for my boat and have a quick question...

With the shift cable disconnected from both the controller, and the shift mechanism at the outdrive, should I be able to move the cable by hand? I can't - I need it hooked up to the controller, and leverage of the controller arm to be able to move it - which is what is making me think I need to replace it. The controller is brand new, and that moves easily without the shift cable attached. The shift mechanism on the outdrive moves easily into forward and reverse without the cable attached...but I can't move the cable itself forward or backward by hand. I traced the cable by hand from the controller to the motor, and don't see any obvious, unnecessary bends.

I'm guessin' I'm being overly cautious/slow here...but, time to replace the cables, right?

My boat is a 2001, which I bought used in 2007. So...the cables are at least 3 years old - more likely they are original and 9 years old...

Thanks for any info.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Shift cable sanity check

I just replaced my lower shift cable last week. It sounds like your cable is all corieded up and it will not move by hand. You will notice a big difference in the new to old cable. The new one slides in and out very smoothly. Im am sure others will chim in later. Do alittle reading on some of the stickys for instalation and its not all that hard to do youself either. Good Luck

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: Shift cable sanity check

I just replaced mine and when I pulled it out, I found that it was 15 years old (original with the boat). My cable would move by hand, but it would stick at the fully extended or retracted. My outer cable (shield) was broken as well.

If it won't move by hand, I'd replace it.

When removing the old cable (from other post) make sure and remove the rubber grommets on the end of the cable, before pulling the cable through the rubber hose.