Shifter will not go forward after lower unit reinstall.

[FL_Marine]

I changed my top seals and water pump on the lower unit and everything went well and I got the lower unit reinstalled, gave me some trouble as it didn't want to go the last inch. After reinstalling it the shifter will not go forward at all and goes towards reverse about 3/4 of the way and clicks like it's going into neutral.

I replace the nipple part for the tell tale and the thermostat but I can turn the motor on because it's not in neutral. I took about a week to post this because I hurt my hand somehow during the reinstall.

Thanks again for all the great help.

[boscoe99]

Need a model. Different Yams use different shift mechanisms.

[pstephens46]

Based on previous posts, I believe he has a 2004 F150.

[fairdeal]

I got the lower unit reinstalled, gave me some trouble as it didn't want to go the last inch. After reinstalling it the shifter will not go forward at all and goes towards reverse about 3/4 of the way and clicks like it's going into neutral.

but I can't turn the motor on because it's not in neutral.

I have had my LUs on and off many times - mostly without incident - but not always...

Not getting the splined male/female shift parts to engage properly has tripped me up several times.

I suspect that is your problem; drop the LU down far enough to try again.

A second pair of hands - and eyes - can help greatly.

[FL_Marine]

Based on previous posts, I believe he has a 2004 F150.

Yes 2004 F150 TXRC.

Also I should note I left it in neutral when I removed it initially.

[99yam40]

does not mean it stayed in neutral while you were playing with it.
drop lower and make sure controls and lower unit are in neutral when you put it back together

[erniefish]

I had done many water pump replacements , until one kicked my butt! Would not go up! Called my buddy ( a real certified Yamaha mechanic ) he told me to disconnect shift cable at motor (it was in reverse as always ) slid right up ,that little bit of tension / play made all the difference . Now when I get a tuff one I try that trick . I hope that helps , e

[Jason2tpa]

I agree with 99yam and fairdeal. Despite the shifter being in neutral when you dropped the lower unit, this does not guarantee it remained in neutral during your repairs. I know this because I've experienced exactly what you described. The lower unit would not engage the last 1" or so. And then I tried to hand rotate the prop, as it should spin freely if shifter is in neutral. It did not.

Since you describe the control shifter not engaging forward gear, this would mean the lower unit shifter is IN forward gear as you're installing. Double check the proper rotation of the lower unit shifter, clock or counter, and return the shifter to neutral.

When you reattempt installation, after you've lined up crank shaft splines and pushed up, before you engage the shifter splines make sure it's still in neutral by hand spinning the prop 1/4 turn in either direction.

[fairdeal]

one more piece of advice:

you should NOT be trying to move the shift control into forward or reverse unless:

- the engine is running
or
- with the engine off, someone is turning the propshaft

With "static" parts, you might get lucky and the dog clutch engages a gear smoothly

but if you force it, something will get hurt

[FL_Marine]

one more piece of advice:

you should NOT be trying to move the shift control into forward or reverse unless:

- the engine is running
or
- with the engine off, someone is turning the propshaft

With "static" parts, you might get lucky and the dog clutch engages a gear smoothly

but if you force it, something will get hurt

Thanks for all the great advice again from everyone. I will try and sort it out today and see how it goes.

As for why I was moving the shifter is because I put the muffs on to test the motor and it wouldn't start so I tried to wiggle the shifter to make sure it was in neutral and it is not.