I'm stumped

C

cmariner32

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Jan 20, 2002
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I have been stumped by hard shifting issue on my '89 Carver Santego. When I bought the boat, the surveyor mentioned the hard to shift issue but said it was probably from low usage. Going on 2 years now, the shifting effort on the starboard engine has gotten much worse. Today I disconnected the cable at the tranny, the tranny shifts with very little effort when toggeling the shift pawl. The shifter at the helm is also quite free and easy to move. I even greased the shifter mechanism with white lithium grease while I was trying to troubleshoot. I lubricated the exposed cable rods. As soon as I hook everything back up, the shifting returns to great effort being needed. Is there something that I am missing?
 
When you said shifting at the helm was easy, was that shifting with the cable connected at helm side but disconnected at tranny side??
 
When you had the cable disconnected, was it just the inner core or the whole cable you removed from the tranny?
Even a worn cable will move freely when the curves are relaxed.. Looking to see if the routing of the cable was the same, just the inner core was disconnected.
John
 
I'm thinking there should be no mystery here you need new shift cables replace both from that position.
You can try lubing it 1st, that might be a temporary fix. If the lube can get to the area of the shift cable that is binding.
Bill
 
Probably the original cables from 1989? They have served their time - replace them.
 
I'm going to pile on here and suggest that you replace the cables. If they are worn internally, lubrication will be a temporary fix at best and if one breaks while you are docking, the results could be dangerous and expensive.
 
Thanks all for the input. Ron, today when I was backing into the slip, the hard-to-shift cable almost caused a problem when I could not get it out of gear quick enough-your keen insight is almost scary! Replacing the cables will be a winter project-I will attempt to oil the cables to buy some temporary relief. My winter projects list is already becoming quite lengthy. Most of last years winter projects were completed except for a small handful. Working on the boat keeps me out of the bars, but having a boat sure makes drinking more of a necessity.
 
I would replace them now since by the time you have them out to grease the job of replacing is half done. They have to be loose and would be best served to remove them completely to adequately get grease to the cable inside, my never to be humble $0.02.
 
Is not the act of lubricating them disconnecting at the helm control and using a cable oiler to add oil to the cable housing? My boat is a flybridge type setup and R&R the cables in this Florida heat would be too much for this old salt-I still haven't recovered physically from changing the exhaust elbows and hoses last spring.
 
dancerscap

You do not rempve the cables to lubricate them. Read the procedure. Not a lot of physical effort involved.
 
If the cables are worn internally, lubricating them would be a temporary solution at best. Being able to shift when necessary is a safety issue so they should be replaced ASAP. I have watched boats hit the dock and other boats at my marina because the operator was not able to shift out of gear quickly.

If you can't do it yourself, pay a pro.
 
I'd also suggest paying a pro for two reasons. First, the Florida heat could kill you. Remember, you're not as trained and experienced in replacing shift cables as a pro is. The extra time it may take you could cause medical problems. Second, the shift cable housing may be filled with salt and other crud. That has to, at least, be cleaned out. Of course, the best choice would be to replace the housing and the cable, but that might be a totally probitive job, both cost-wise and structurally, The last time I replaced a shift cabl on a boat we owned, I pulled out the old one, cleaned it with solvent, oiled it, and shoved it back through. I repeatred this process two additional times. By the thrid time, it was sliding easily and was crud-free when I removed it. I then put in a well-oiled new cable.That should solve your problem. Hy
 
littlebookworm

You cannot take cable assemblies apart that are used on inboard boats because the ends are staked on. Early out boards had cables that you could remove the ends on but nothing current. What were you working on?

If the cable outer case hasn't been compromised oiling usually helps. The bridge cables usually are the problem but not always. Many of my frends lubricate every 2 years as a preventive maintenance procedure. Houseboat cables are long and expensive.
 
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