Thunderbolt 1150 - Replace Shift Rod/Spline

[mikesboat]

I tried to save a few bucks and messed it up. Replaced the water pump on my Mercury 1150, put the lower unit back on, started the boat and it began to move forward...Neutral is now Forward. Removed the lower unit again, adjusted the position of the gear an reassembled. Apparently this time the shift rod/spline was not lined up correctly because it essentially stripped the end of the rod. Any idea where I can find the new part & also, how do I replace the shift rod.

 

[crazymac-680]

Re: Thunderbolt 1150 - Replace Shift Rod/Spline

Can you just confirm that the spline came of the shaft that enters the gearbox? Or the coupling that goes to the engine? You can get the shaft out of the gearbox but I'm not sure where you would get a replacement. There isn't that much pressure on thet shaft to shift the gears. You could put a hardening material in the coupling and then fit the gearbox and leave it to set?

 

[mikesboat]

Re: Thunderbolt 1150 - Replace Shift Rod/Spline

It is the coupling that is damaged. Seems like a very soft metal. I think that the spline coming out of the gear box is also bent; is it easy to remove/replace that?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Thunderbolt 1150 - Replace Shift Rod/Spline

The shift rod is hard to replace. Hopefully, it is not bent or damaged. The coupling on the shift rod, is a PIA to replace, if you cannot get to it with the gearbox removed, you will need to pull the powerhead.

 

[mikesboat]

Re: Thunderbolt 1150 - Replace Shift Rod/Spline

Thanks for the tips. I ended up taking it to a repair shop, he had the parts and fixed it fairly quick.