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  #1   IP: 108.51.19.207
Old 05-16-2021, 09:42 PM
svsonora svsonora is offline
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Reverse keeps going out of adjustment

I bought the excellent service manual from moyer marine, and followed the adjustment procedures do the dot. I adjusted forward, then reverse. I had a good 2 inches left on the rear movement of the transmission lever at the engine as it started to engage, seemed to be safely fully engaged at the rearmost travel.

The problem is, after a day of sailing (motoring out of my harbor and the channel, then going back in), my reverse is gone. Nothing whatsoever when I move the cockpit lever back. I clearly had reverse when I backed out of the slip earlier today.

I've been wrestling with this problem for a few years.

Do I need a new transmission cable? What do I need to do?

By the way, my retaining clip is intact.
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Old 05-16-2021, 11:38 PM
svsonora svsonora is offline
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I'm sitting at home thinking about this problem, and I just think it *has* to be the adjustment nut backing out, despite my clip being intact. I can't think of any other reason why I would not have any reverse after a day of sailing. When I initially adjusted it, I was able to move the transmission in and out of reverse several times.

Next time I have a boat project, I'll get to the boat make a yet another adjustment. Then I'll make sure my retainer clip is *SNUG* against the flat surface of the adjustment nut, and double check to see if its actually doing anything to hold the nut. I'll also be more aggressive with my adjustment, even if it means I have less space for neutral. Then I'm going to leave the engine in forward for an hour or two, and see if the nut backs out. I'll try to mark the nut too (maybe a piece of wire tied around one of the holes to check if it moves).

Maybe my retention clip is just worn out?
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Old 05-17-2021, 12:18 AM
JOHN COOKSON JOHN COOKSON is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by svsonora View Post
Do I need a new transmission cable? What do I need to do?
.
More likely the outer cable cover is not fixed down firmly.
What happens when you disconnect the cable at the shift lever on the engine and shift by hand with the trany lever itself? Try adjusting the transmission internally with the cable disconnected until it is right. Once this adjustment is correct then put the cable back to the lever and make whatever adjustments to the cable are necessary.

ex TRUE GRIT
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Old 05-17-2021, 08:00 PM
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Al Schober Al Schober is offline
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The spring that hold the reverse adjusting nut has two legs. If one has broken off, the spring won't do it's job. Easy replacement. I didn't notice the part in Moyer's catalog, but that doesn't mean he can't supply one.
Also check the cable. The core should slide nice and easy, and the jacket has to be secured at BOTH ends.
Check the other posts in the 'Reversing Gear' group. Folk (myself included) have posted some suggestions in there. You'll have to adjust the 'Display Options' to go back further than a month.

Last edited by Al Schober; 05-17-2021 at 08:13 PM. Reason: adjust display options
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Old 05-17-2021, 09:31 PM
svsonora svsonora is offline
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same thing happens if I move the lever from hte engine side.

Al, i never thought to look under the bolt. I did have, at some point, that bolt wired up with safety wire and I still lost reverse. But maybe I just didn't adjust it right at the time (the boat was new to me) so I'll try it again next time I'm at the boat (either replacing the clip or wiring it)

BTW here is the part : https://moyermarine.com/product/reta..._locking_clip/
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Old 05-18-2021, 09:36 AM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is online now
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Lightbulb FYI

svsenora, the reversing gear of the A-4 direct drive does not have a true reverse as there is nothing to hold the trans "in reverse". Reverse is manual in that to maintain "engagement" you must maintain pressure on the shifter in reverse to hold the "band" in place!!!!! If you don't hold it reverse won't stay engaged.

Forward has a "detent" to hold the trans in forward though.

Dave Neptune
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Old 05-19-2021, 09:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by svsonora View Post
same thing happens if I move the lever from hte engine side. ...
The cable should be disconnected from the lever when performing this test.
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Old 05-19-2021, 09:41 PM
svsonora svsonora is offline
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I took the clip retaining bolt out today, and sure enough, the bottom arm was gone. I did a safety wire looped CCW around the adjustment bolt that ran to the retention bolt. Hopefully this does the trick.

I'm going to order the new clip when I do the order for electronic ignition.

I have a sail coming up this weekend -- I'll see how the reverse fairs then! Didn't get the chance to run the engine in dock very long today.
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Last edited by svsonora; 05-19-2021 at 10:22 PM.
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Old 05-23-2021, 08:55 PM
svsonora svsonora is offline
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As usual thanks for the help. I had reverse throughout my entire trip today - finally got to dock under power in my really tight sip (I usually walk the boat in)
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