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135 johnson shift problems

J

jpendergrass

Member
I havent had much luck on the other site, thought I'd see what I can get here. I've done some searching on this problem, seems pretty typical.
Its a 1976 135 johnson, no forward gear, just clicking. Brought her home from the water disappointed thinking the worse. Checked the cable adjustment, could only get forward and no reverse or vice versa. Disconnected cable and then tried to shift with lever at engine. Its tough but I can get it all gears. When I say tough, I mean I have to pry the lever up or down. The assembly that the cables attach to seem sloppy and cables seems smooth, but I'm thinking theres not enough adjustment to move the shift rod when its that hard to move by hand. What should I do?? How hard is it to drop the LU and access the shift rod to measure and check why its so stiff?
I havent had to boat very long. Previous owner couldnt even get the motor running and said someone had swapped LU attempting to repair the shift issue. After i got it running it sounded fine on the water in reverse but nothing but clicking in forward. Yes, I flushed the gear fluid and added fresh, no metal particles on magnet just the usual dust.
I appreciate all advise and will check anything you suggest to check.
TIA so much - Jody
 
To accurately measure the shift rod lenth you are going to have to drop the lower unit.
Do you have a manual to follow to drop the lower unit? If not it would be a good investment, it will show you how to remove the lower unit and adjust the shift rod.
 
daviet said:
To accurately measure the shift rod lenth you are going to have to drop the lower unit.
Do you have a manual to follow to drop the lower unit? If not it would be a good investment, it will show you how to remove the lower unit and adjust the shift rod.
Click to expand...
Yes I have a johnnyrude manual. I read something about orings might be causing the stiff shift rod or that its not set correctly which could cause a linkage misadjustment. Where are these orings and why cant I just turn the shift rod from the top?
Would a stretched cable cause the one gear and not the other?
 
I can't find a 135 hp in 1976 to look at the parts breakdown, but I think the o-rings you are talking about are in the cover the shift rod is going through in the lower unit.
Doesn't your manual call for a measurment from the mating surface of the lower unit to the center line of the hole at the top of the shift rod, or something close to that? How can you get that measurement with the lower unit on the engine?
 
daviet said:
I can't find a 135 hp in 1976 to look at the parts breakdown, but I think the o-rings you are talking about are in the cover the shift rod is going through in the lower unit.
Doesn't your manual call for a measurment from the mating surface of the lower unit to the center line of the hole at the top of the shift rod, or something close to that? How can you get that measurement with the lower unit on the engine?
Click to expand...
I've heard others say that. I use the shop.evinrude.com sight to look at the parts breakdown, 1976 shows a 135 but of course not my model # since its a johnson. But check this : http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/johnson/#j135hp
I also didnt know if someone had an accurate way to measure while assembled.
 
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