lower unit stuck in forward??

[david martin]

Hey guys and gals, I have a 1982 115 merc on my baja and the lower would shift into reverse, neutral and forward just 2 weeks ago with no problems. Now, I took the lower unit off and layed it on its side for a week while I waited for my new water pump kit to arrive and just today I installed the pump. I reinstalled the lower unit and now it is stuck in forward? The shift shaft is turning and regardless of what position the shaft is in the lower unit will not shift out of forward gear. Could this be caused from the lower being laid on its side for a week? I am confused.
Thanks for any help.
David

[bullet19]

IF the lower was laying on it's side and the shift shaft was pulled up slightly, the shift cam COULD fall out. This was designed as a failsafe if the Lower needed to be taken apart and things were locked up. IF this is the case, you will need to disassemble the lower down to the propshaft to put everything back in place.
Have you tried rotating the shaft all the way around? then try to get it to shift with channel locks or such on the shift shaft splines. This would tell you if disassembly is needed
B

[david martin]

I went ahead and installed the lower unit and started the motor thinking this would free up the lower. NOPE, it sounded terrible. I shut the motor down instantly. I can still turn the prop by hand and it turns the motor over one way and ratchets the other way.(still no neutral or reverse) Do you think I should take apart and send it to the shop?
Thanks for the reply.
David

[kekeka71]

In that lower unit it is easy to have the cam turn a little and thru it off pull lower unit and reshift with a old shifter or pliers till you get your gears by hand then reinstall lower unit

[Bruster]

That's what happened. The shift cam has been rotated away from the forward position. Remove the lower and rotate the shift shaft CCW to the first detent. You need a shift shaft tool (or pliers carefully used) to rotate the shaft cam up on the first detent. The propshaft will rotate one direction ratcheting over the shift cam and will lock up in the other direction. If you continue to rotate the shift shaft one more detent you have netural. The propshaft will rotate freely in both directions. The next detent is reverse and will lock the propshaft in both directions. Reinstall the lower. I like to use netural and lift the lower up to the crank. Rotate the flywheel slightly (disconnect the battery, please) by hand and the lower will slide right up. This should get you going....

In that lower unit it is easy to have the cam turn a little and thru it off pull lower unit and reshift with a old shifter or pliers till you get your gears by hand then reinstall lower unit

[david martin]

THANK YOU!!! I got it fixed with all your help. Works great now. Thanks a million.
David

[DigSling]

'83 in-line 6 cyl. - I have a similar situation but the lower unit is stuck in reverse. Took the lower unit off last season to replace the the seals and impeller. The shift shaft spins somewhat freely and I can feel it click (pop) into gear when turning clockwise. The prop locks up when turned counterclockwise and cams out when spun in the opposite direction. Is this a "jiggle the handle" type of fix or should I be looking for a professional to pull the lower unit apart to reset the gears? Any and all help appreciated.

[25two.stroke]

I would drain the oil and set the unit upright. Pull the shift shaft and carrier out and look down to see if you see the shift cam in the right place.