1983 25hp Johnson shift problems

[tobers]

Our boat was under shelter, but hasn't been used for 3 years. We took it out. Ran great, but the shifter that switches between forward, neutral and reverse was really stiff/stuck. We could move it, but I was afraid the whole assembly was going to break off each time I tried. Today I took the shifter handle off, and lubed it. I also lubed everything else easy to lube that was moving. We tried to add grease in the grease nipple, but it wouldn't take it. Then we pulled the grease nipple, cleaned it, but we couldn't get it to take much new grease. After all of this it works a tad better, but I'm still afraid we'll break it. It used to just click smoothly. I checked the manual, but -- of course -- it doesn't have my year. Do you have to go in there to clean it? How? It doesn't look convenient Can we spray something in there, or is that a bad idea? Thanks for any help. Rick

[Solarman]

First, before taking apart the control box, it might be a good idea to disconnect the shift cable from the motor, then try shifting the controls. If controls are still not moving easily, then remove the throttle cable off motor, and try controls again. If still stiff then controls will need to be looked at. It could be the shift cable is bad (dried lube inside cables will act like glue, as well as kinks or rust.
If controls work fine disconnected, then it may be the shift linkages on the motor that are too stiff, causing your problems.

Post back what you find out. Good luck

[tobers]

my bad: I left off some details that folks need. it's just a pull start with a tiller. We took lever off and cleaned and lubed it. We also lubed the surface (ramp?) that mechanically lifts that spring loaded rod as you shift the lever from reverse/neutral/forward. Lubricating those didn't hurt, but that's not what's binding. There is a grease fitting inside that handle that won't take grease. We pulled it, cleaned it -- it definitely works. It still won't take grease.

If "1" is "I think I'm going to break the lever ... this won't budge at all" and "10" is "it's working great" I'd say we started at a 2, and lubing everything moved us to a 3, but I almost fell in trying to pull hard enough to get it out of "forward" to "neutral"

I wonder if we should squirt something in to loosen that grease, or heat? How hard is it to get that thing apart to clean it? thank you! rick

[Solarman]

Sorry Rick, can't adviser on the tiller handles.

Good luck.