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1999 johnson 175 PLEE Shift Rod Question

R

rick s.

Member
So I dropped the gearcase on my outboard and have changed the waterpump. Having difficulty with the shift rod when reinstalling the gear case. After reinstallation I don't think the shifter is working correctly. I believe forward gear is selected with the shift rod extended as far as it will go. But every time I reinstall the gear case it seems as tho the shift rod gets pushed down, so when i push the shift rod retainer back in, put in the safety pin, and move the shift lever to neutral, the prop does not spin, which it seems as tho it should with neutral selected.

So what's the secret to this? Should I remove the lower cowling on the port side, and would that give me access to the shift rod to be able to pull this up to select forward gear, then push the retainer into the hole in the end of the shift rod?

Kind of stuck here. Bobbie, if you are around would love to hear from you.

Rick S.
 
The measurement of the shift rod from the top surface of the lower unit to the center of the shift rod hole is critical.

Measurement is to be made in neutral, with the top of the rod in a normal run position.

The rod is going to (usually) get pushed down... so after setting the measurement, push it down. You can always use needle nose pliers or what-have-you to grab that rod is various areas where it's visible to raise or turn it slightly if needed.

Port side cowling in your way.... You Bet!... Get it out of there. Been there, done that, many times!

The measurement? I don't have it. Hopefully "Boobie" (or another member) stops by with it.
 
Thanks!

I didnot get into the gear case, and the motor shifted fine prior to my removing the gear case. I'm curious...what is the purpose of measuring the shift rod height if the rod is going to be pushed down during install. Is neutral the center detent? Pull it up and the propellor doesn't turn. Center detent and you can spin the propeller cw and ccw. push the rod down, and the prop won't turn. I do have a service manual on the motor but it is kind of vague about this.
 
Fact-----For proper operation of linkages / clutch dog you set the shift rod height.------Then install it.------Adjust control or move rod up or down to put the pin in.----Do not turn the rod once it is set.
 
rick s. said:
Thanks! I didnot get into the gear case, and the motor shifted fine prior to my removing the gear case. I'm curious...what is the purpose of measuring the shift rod height if the rod is going to be pushed down during install. Is neutral the center detent? Pull it up and the propellor doesn't turn. Center detent and you can spin the propeller cw and ccw. push the rod down, and the prop won't turn. I do have a service manual on the motor but it is kind of vague about this.
Click to expand...


Think about it.... The gearcase is on the workbench, the shift rod is in neutral... and the measurement is precisely accurate.

Now we push the rod down just for installation purposes... after which we pull the rod up into neutral or even all the way up simply to have it in sight as good as possible where we connect it to the shift linkage and secure it. Now, we use the engine's linkage to put it back into neutral... and the measurement is still exactly where it belongs.

The point is that "In Neutral" the measurement of the shift rod from the top of the lower units surface to the center of the shift hole must be exactly where it belongs +/- 1/32".... after that you can push it down, yank it up, it doesn't matter... just don't turn it!

If..... on the bench, and you have a problem such as what I've highlighted in red above... that would be due to a gearcase internal problem.

One question.... Does that lower unit shift properly when it's removed from the engine?
 
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