Difficulty shifting out of reverse

[Leprecaun]

Hello All,
New guy here, and also new to having a diesel (Universal), having moved up from a 22 footer to a 1988 Newport 28. Loving it!
But, I had a tough time switching out of reverse and back into neutral with the lever on my pedestal steering column. Throttle was all the way back.
Is this a basic adjustment or grease/lube needed, or could this be a bigger problem?
BTW - no trouble shifting into forward and back to neutral.
Thanks, and I look forward to being part of this forum.
ST

 

[Stu Jackson]

Hi, and welcome.

You NEED to tell us what engine you have.

 

[woodster]

i think he said he has a universal.....non the less go with the small stuff first...check you shifter lever on the gear box and see that it is traveling all the way to reverse and not past it ..also check your shift cable and see that it is balanced with the shifting motion ..you may just need an adjustment or two ...if all that checks out unhook the shift cable and shift it transmission by hand at the lever and see if it works ok by hand ...if so go tto the shift mechanism and check that out .......

 

[Leprecaun]

Hi Woodster,
Yes it is a Universal.
What do you mean "check you shifter lever on the gear box and see that it is traveling all the way to reverse and not past it"?
Is it possible that I could be moving the shifter from neutral, to reverse, then "past" reverse? If I move the shifter all the way aft as far as it goes, would that not be in reverse?
Thanks for the other suggestions. I will do.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Sorry, woodster is right, I missed it.

LP, go look at your engine with the cover off. You'll find the cables end up down there. Learn were they go and what they do.

The gear lever is on the starboard aft. Do it by hand to find out if it is the cable, the connections or anything else.

 

[Benny17441]

Yes, it is possible to move the gear selector past its intended stop position if there is a maladjustment in the shifting linkage. This may create undue stress in the gears and selector and could be the cause for early wear in transmission parts. First order of business would be to determine if the problem is in the linkage or the transmission and following the suggestion of shifting by hand at the transmission lever will provide an answer for you.

 

[Leprecaun]

Hi Folks,
Yes you were correct, it was the cable and I had it replaced. Unbelievable how easy and smooth this is now!
Thanks! ST