Lubricating transmission cable

[sailhog]

Shifting into forward, back to neutral, into reverse and back to neutral has always been a bear on my boat. I don't know if this is unique to my old-style arrangement with the throttle and shift at ankle level on the port side of the cockpit -- but I'm wondering if others have the same difficulty. I'm wondering if I should pull the Teleflex cable and lubricate it. If so, what lubrication is advised? Much appreciated!

[jcwright]

My experience with a similar situation is only a sample of 1, but perhaps worth sharing.

I put up with stiff shifting for years, thinking the resistance was normal. I learned it wasn't normal the hard way--after I'd destroyed the thrust collar bearing when pushing into forward. I suspect but can't prove that I over-stressed the bearing, which I believe Don Moyer warns about in his document on the adjusting procedure for the reversing gear.

Once I removed the cable to lubricate it, I discovered it was impossible to move without the leverage of the control arm. With a new cable (and another reversing gear from Moyer), the force required to shift is much less, and similar to other boats with A4s that I've been on since then. In hindsight, I should have periodically checked the cable after detaching it from the reversing gear shift lever.

Perhaps you will be able to lubricate your cable, but if you have any doubt, beware of the risks a stiff cable may pose.

Best regards,

Jack

[ndutton]

What Jack said. The cable is not serviceable, must be replaced.

[sailhog]

Thanks, gentlemen.

I searched the MMI site on the topic and found Neil's post with the Wholesale Marine link. My Catalina 30 cockpit shift should accept a 6400 series cc643 series cable... They don't have 11 foot cable, so I'll go with 12 foot.


https://www.wholesalemarine.com/tele...SABEgJkOPD_BwE

Thanks, again!
Dwight
(Sailhog)

[CajunSpike]

Had same issue when I got the boat.
Yes fix is shifter cable replacement.
Makes a world of difference.

[sailhog]

That cable looks fine to me, Cajunspike. Tell me you didn't throw it away!