With our last couple of sails, the shift lever became more and more difficult, and now is stuck in reverse, where we left it last. Any ideas of what is wrong? How to fix? Our boat is a C30, but I'm guessing this may not be boat specific.
Difficulty with shift lever
- Thread starter Harris18559
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stiff shifter
I would check the cable first to determine if it is stuck by detaching it from the tranny. If the cable is stiff may be some lubricant w-40 or the likes will free it up. If this is not the case it could be the actual shifter or it could be the tranny. See if you can move the lever on the tranny by hand if so it is the cable or the shifter.
I would check the cable first to determine if it is stuck by detaching it from the tranny. If the cable is stiff may be some lubricant w-40 or the likes will free it up. If this is not the case it could be the actual shifter or it could be the tranny. See if you can move the lever on the tranny by hand if so it is the cable or the shifter.
Another possible
problem could be the delrin bushing at the shift lever, assuming you have an Edson pedistal. My 84 C30 had stiff throttle and shift. If you do have an Edson pedistal with controls below the compass do the following to test for the bushing. Remove compass, disconnect the cable from the lever. If the lever is stiff, it's the bushing, get replacement from Edson. If it is the cable (and you have disconnected it from the trans as JD suggests)then replace the cable.
problem could be the delrin bushing at the shift lever, assuming you have an Edson pedistal. My 84 C30 had stiff throttle and shift. If you do have an Edson pedistal with controls below the compass do the following to test for the bushing. Remove compass, disconnect the cable from the lever. If the lever is stiff, it's the bushing, get replacement from Edson. If it is the cable (and you have disconnected it from the trans as JD suggests)then replace the cable.
check tranny shifter where cable attaches
Might the shifter cable, where it attaches to the transmission shifter arm (below the galley), become disconnected. There is a small cotter-pin which hold the cable to the tranny shifter arm -- maybe it came off? It can be seen by openning up the starboard engine access door. Hope this helps...
Might the shifter cable, where it attaches to the transmission shifter arm (below the galley), become disconnected. There is a small cotter-pin which hold the cable to the tranny shifter arm -- maybe it came off? It can be seen by openning up the starboard engine access door. Hope this helps...
Cable lubricant
Thanks guys. I'll try the suggestions in order, and hope it just needs lube. Do you think WD40 is right for it?
Thanks guys. I'll try the suggestions in order, and hope it just needs lube. Do you think WD40 is right for it?
WD40 is not really a lubricant
read the label. Harris, you might consider T-9 Boeshield, or Super Lube, which comes in can and jelly varieties. Stu
read the label. Harris, you might consider T-9 Boeshield, or Super Lube, which comes in can and jelly varieties. Stu
Broken Shifter Cable
The cable on my 1986 C-30 was stiff as well. Tried all the fixes as mentioned. Then after a great day of sailing on July 3th I went to shift into neutral and the cable snapped at the bushing. It was a really easy fix. On July 4th we sat at the mooring and enjoyed the view. Then got off the boat on the 5th, left a work order, came back on the 7th and it was all fixed! Unfortunately, the bill for $1200 came a few weeks later! I think that I just finished paying for it. They replaced the throttle cable at the same time and did some maintenance on the Edson. I didn't realize that there was so much play in the wheel until it was repaired. I guess there are two morals to this story: First, don't wait to get it fixed. You could get stranded. Luckily I was fairly close to the mooring and was able to drift in. Second, it is cheaper to fix it yourself! Good Luck, Mike
The cable on my 1986 C-30 was stiff as well. Tried all the fixes as mentioned. Then after a great day of sailing on July 3th I went to shift into neutral and the cable snapped at the bushing. It was a really easy fix. On July 4th we sat at the mooring and enjoyed the view. Then got off the boat on the 5th, left a work order, came back on the 7th and it was all fixed! Unfortunately, the bill for $1200 came a few weeks later! I think that I just finished paying for it. They replaced the throttle cable at the same time and did some maintenance on the Edson. I didn't realize that there was so much play in the wheel until it was repaired. I guess there are two morals to this story: First, don't wait to get it fixed. You could get stranded. Luckily I was fairly close to the mooring and was able to drift in. Second, it is cheaper to fix it yourself! Good Luck, Mike
One last thought
There is an acorn nut on the aft side of the pedistal, this is for the braclet that holds the 2 cable sheaths in position so the cables can move. If loose, it could allow the sheaths to move. You did not mention any problem with the throttle. As I mentioned before, my problem was with the throttle. I tried lubricating it with spray lithium grease, that might help. If is the cable, like Mike said, it is much cheaper to fix it yourself. Change both while you have it apart.
There is an acorn nut on the aft side of the pedistal, this is for the braclet that holds the 2 cable sheaths in position so the cables can move. If loose, it could allow the sheaths to move. You did not mention any problem with the throttle. As I mentioned before, my problem was with the throttle. I tried lubricating it with spray lithium grease, that might help. If is the cable, like Mike said, it is much cheaper to fix it yourself. Change both while you have it apart.
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