[SOLVED] Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

[thedillybar]

I have read the manual..w/ lower unit in forward & bungee holding prop CCW, set adjustable stud to bottom of slot, set lower barrel to 6" then set upper barrel w/ light pressure on cable and back out 4 turns. Move adjustable stud if necessary to shift into reverse (holding prop CW).

However, the jam nut is loose on the lower barrel (i.e. the cable going to the lower unit). It seems like there is an adjustment that I need to get right before tightening this jam nut...and I can't find it anywhere. Any ideas?

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

If you are referring to the threaded rod in the top end of the cable, then that one screws all the way in, then tighten the jam nut...

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

If you are referring to the threaded rod in the top end of the cable, then that one screws all the way in, then tighten the jam nut...

So I don't need to leave a few threads behind it when I tighten the jam nut? Just snug it all the way and tighten the jam nut?

Thanks

 

[cr2k]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Yes.

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

After taking another look, I'm not sure the jam nut does anything. The lower cable measurement (center of pin to center of barrel) is nowhere near 6" when the drive is in forward, it's closer to 5 1/4" or 5 1/2". And it appears the barrel is glued onto the shaft, so it is not adjustable.

As a result, with the throttle WOT forward, the cable is not pushed all the way in and the drive does not shift into forward. No adjustment on the remote cable side can make up for the problem on the lower cable side.

Any ideas?? I am wondering if it's really glue/epoxy and maybe I can break it free so I can set the lower cable measurement to 6" where it should be.

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Have you just put a new cable in?

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

No. Lower cable & remove cable have been on since I bought the boat 4 years ago...I have never adjusted them. Worked fine until Monday when it wouldn't shift into forward gear while loading on the trailer.

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Sounds like something else has gone wrong... Take the drive off and check all the linkages and the upper shift shaft...

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Sounds like something else has gone wrong... Take the drive off and check all the linkages and the upper shift shaft...

If I take the lower shift cable off, I can make it shift into forward (by pushing in all the way) and reverse (by pulling out all the way). I am reluctant to take the drive off since it seems to shift fine if I get the right travel in the lower shift cable...

What changed?? I have no idea.

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Without me physically seeing the system I can't tell you... All I can comment on is what you tell me... If the travel is right, but the 6" adjustment has moved, you need to find out why, and the easiest way to do that is to take the drive off... (it only takes 3 minutes)

Have a look at my video of the cable adjustment, especially the check for too much movement in the system... That might help you. http://youtu.be/-s_tgevX2aI

Chris........

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Without me physically seeing the system I can't tell you... All I can comment on is what you tell me... If the travel is right, but the 6" adjustment has moved, you need to find out why, and the easiest way to do that is to take the drive off... (it only takes 3 minutes)

Have a look at my video of the cable adjustment, especially the check for too much movement in the system... That might help you. http://youtu.be/-s_tgevX2aI

Chris........

Nice video, I will check the 9/16" spec tomorrow. My brass barrel appears to be "pinned" as you mention in your video, but like I say, it's not "pinned" at 6 inches. I don't know enough about the cable to know how this adjustment could move by itself.

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

If I loosen the threaded rod out of the cable, then the dimension gets even shorter. But I have it threaded all the way into the cable (like you suggested) and still not 6" between middle of pin and middle of barrel.

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

So, we have to find out why it changed.... I suspect the wire locked grub screw in the end of the slider (in the bell hosing) has come off and is allowing the cable to move too much.... Taking the leg off will confirm that... It only takes 3 minutes to pull the leg....

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

So, we have to find out why it changed.... I suspect the wire locked grub screw in the end of the slider (in the bell hosing) has come off and is allowing the cable to move too much.... Taking the leg off will confirm that... It only takes 3 minutes to pull the leg....

Got the outdrive off, there was some water in it (didn't make it past the O-ring into the upper boot fortunately). Nothing looks horribly wrong.

Based on how it was acting before, I think somehow the control arm (connected to the lower shift cable) got pushed past the little wheel that it connects to. This would make it still shift into reverse (w/ some tension on the cable) and would barely be in forward gear with the throttle all the way forward.

The little wheel has some play up & down..maybe it is worn and smaller than spec.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

---

If the lower shift cable is binding or streched you'll never get it right.Stop beating a dead horse and get a shift cable kit from mercruser,it will have everything you need to do the job.

 

[thedillybar]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

So, we have to find out why it changed.... I suspect the wire locked grub screw in the end of the slider (in the bell hosing) has come off and is allowing the cable to move too much.... Taking the leg off will confirm that... It only takes 3 minutes to pull the leg....

The wire locked "grub screw" was indeed wire-locked and was not the problem. Right behind where the cable shroud threads into the bell housing, the cable shroud had fallen apart.

Replaced with a new cable, which is not nearly as hard as some websites/people makes it out to be.

Thanks for the help. And your video, achris.

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Re: Alpha One won't shift into forward -- jam nut loose

Ahhh... I love a happy ending... Glad you got it sorted...