Won't shift into reverse

[mudcatwilly]

I have a 1990 Suzuki DT85. I just replaced the lower unit and after I got the new one hooked up, I noticed that it now won't shift into reverse. It shifts into forward just fine. It was shifting fine before I replaced the lower unit and I didn't change anything else. What's weird is that I did actually get it to shift into reverse a couple of times, but then I shifted forward again, and again it wouldn't go into reverse. The shifter just won't budge going into reverse. I still get forward and neutral just fine. Any ideas?

 

[mudcatwilly]

Re: Won't shift into reverse

There's one thing I forgot to mention. Before I put on the replacement lower unit, I noticed that the shift rod was a lot harder to move up and down than it was on my old lower unit. Before I put the replacement L/U on, I really had to pull hard to get the shift rod in the fully "up" position. I believe that fully "up" is the reverse position for my shift rod.

 

[mudcatwilly]

Re: Won't shift into reverse

OK, so I did some more messing around with it. I fired it up in the driveway and with the motor running, I can get it into reverse with no problem. Prop engages in forward and reverse, but the shifter doesn't seem to want to find neutral. When I went from forward to reverse with the prop still spinning a bit, it did grind louder than what seems normal. When I shut the motor off, I got it into reverse once, then back to forward and when I shifted back to reverse, it wouldn't budge again. What's the deal? How can I get reverse with the motor running but not get it when the motor's off? Also, on my shifter, it seems that neutral is not where it's supposed to be. Please help.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Won't shift into reverse

adjust the clutch rod connecter, untill it goes freely in forward and reverse, you can also adjust the cable links aswell .....

 

[mudcatwilly]

Re: Won't shift into reverse

Deejaycee:

Can you identify on either of these two links which part is the clutch rod connector. Thanks.

http://store.brownspoint.com/DT85/fig009-858800.asp

http://store.brownspoint.com/DT85/fig010-858800.asp

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Won't shift into reverse

mmmm I see that the 85hp is a little different from my suzuki's ... but let me see ..... from the first link you posted you can try and adjust no.17 where the gear cable connects you can adjust it to make it longer or shorter for a better gear shift ........ but what I was talking about originally was on the 2nd link you posted ..... no.11 (shift cam) on mine can adjust but it doesn't seem like you can adjust it up or down on this model, which I find strange ..... how did you connect / disconnect that (no.11) when you put the lower unit back? .....

 

[mmk8283@gmail.com]

Re: Won't shift into reverse

Make sure that the pin is in the tilt lock. If the reverse lock forks cant hook onto the tilt pin it will not go into reverse. (motor should shift fine if motor is tilted up). Also disconnect the linkage at the motor and try cycling the shifter alone, common that the shift lever cam plate cracks or breaks in the mercontrol units.