Wont go in reverse

[AmTraditional]

I have a 88 50 hp johnson, and was just wondering if the clutch dog was bad. I got the boat a couple of years ago and the reverse worked fine, then one day I was out on the lake and the reverse didnt work, the shift lever has always been tight so I turned the screw that is 90 degrees from the lever but im not sure that this is a screw that actually does anything or not, I didnt notice any difference. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[AmTraditional]

Re: Wont go in reverse

When I put the boat into reverse it revs up but it dont go

 

[ob]

Re: Wont go in reverse

Eliminate the possibility of the shift cable or controls being culprit by disconnecting the cable at the shift arm and while running the engine on flush muffs see if you can manually shift into reverse by actuating the shift arm.If not you're problem is in the lower unit.

 

[ob]

Re: Wont go in reverse

 

[AmTraditional]

Re: Wont go in reverse

ok I will try that thanks, by the way is the lower unit something I need to have someone else do or would I be able to do it myself, I know a lot about cars, but nothing about boats