Stuck in forward

[bassin87]

The shifter on the side of my 85 johnson 25 is stuck in forward. At first it was working properly but wouldnt turn the prop is gear forward or reverse so i figured it was some kind of adjustment. It never jumped out of gear so i dont think it was the clutch dog in the first place. Also when i drained the lower unit oil there was no signs of metal shavings or nothing. I have the lower unit off now and it still wont move. Is there anyway to fix this?

 

[bassin87]

Re: Stuck in forward

Id also like to add that the motor has always run strong and this problem kind of popped out of nowhere one day.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Stuck in forward

Are you turning the drive shaft while you move the shift rod?

 

[bassin87]

Re: Stuck in forward

I pulled the plugs and turned the flywheel while trying to move it.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Stuck in forward

So the driveshaft turns freely and the prop turns OK ?

But when you push down on the shift rod while turning the driveshaft, nothing happens?

If you still have the lower unit off, grab the driveshaft at the top and turn it clockwise wihile pushing down on the shift rod. [We need to see if the unit will go into neutral.]
8)

 

[bassin87]

Re: Stuck in forward

No sorry before i pulled the lower unit off the prop would turn freely in gear. It is off right now because i figured it would be easier to fix. I made sure too that i didnt have the throttle forward because im pretty sure that would stop it from shifting.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Stuck in forward

If you still have the lower unit off, grab the driveshaft at the top and turn it clockwise wihile pushing down on the shift rod. [We need to see if the unit will go into neutral.]

If the Phillips head screw at the bottom of the gearcase skeg was removed and then replaced, it could cause your problem.

 

[bassin87]

Re: Stuck in forward

I did what you said and it seems to shift into nuetral and the other gears fine manually

 

[bassin87]

Re: Stuck in forward

Yes i know the screw your talking about and that wasnt touched and i even made sure is was snug and it was. This was the first motor ive dropped the lower unit on and the shift rod stays inside the motor and disconnects in the water pick up slot.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Stuck in forward

If you can shift from reverse to neutral to forward by hand by moving the driveshaft and shift rod, I would figure that the lower unit is OK, and that you need to to concentrate on the linkage.

So, when you are finished with your water pump, put the unit in Neutral and make sure that the prop turns free - no restriction, no movement of the driveshaft.