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excess play in shift rod

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Phil1962

New member
I have an 82 Evinrude 35hp (E35elcnd) that was popping out of forward gear. I had a new clutch dog put in and the mechanic said that the dog and forward gear actually was in pretty good shape. I still have the same problem. After doing some investigating I found that there is a tremendous amount of play up and down on the shift rod in the lower unit. I have no idea what could cause the play, could it be the lower shift rod bushing? The movement is up and down the adjustment on the rod is turned as far down as it will go and still won't lock into forward gear with the shift cable on. To adjust the cable far enough to engage forward gear it throw neutral and reverse off
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
 
Are you telling us that your mechanic didn't catch that when he was replacing the clutch dog? That makes me wonder what "pretty good shape" means. Well anyhow, first disconnect the shift cable and don't reconnect it till the motor is fixed. Now with everything else connected, hold the shift rod connector (behind the water screens), while you move the shifter handle on the motor. When the shifter handle moves, the shift rod should move without any delay or play. If it fails this test, the linkage up above is beaten to death by the motor jumping out of gear, and the powerhead likely has to be removed to fix it. However if it passes this test, the lower unit job needs to be revisited. And no, it is not the shift rod bushing.
 
Agree it is not the bushing.----Are the little black plastic keepers in place on the coupling ?----Was this work done at a recognized boat shop ?
 
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