Why can't I adjust my new Bravo 3 Shift Cable??

Been through all the history I could find on shifter cable adjustments. Replaced both Stb and Port Lower Cables. Stb went fine using all the proper measurements within 20min.

Port will NOT cooperate. I've been trying for three days now and have adjusted it, ran the boat engine with water flow. I can get either Forward to work or Reverse to work, but not both.

Before you think that there's something wrong with the drive, when I disconnect the helm control cable, start the engine, and manipulate the shifting mechanism on the engine I can get solid engagement in both F and R without issue.

The Shift Bracket's "Lever Assembly" seems quite loose and its able to rock back and forth depending if it's being pushed or pulled. It is held on by one large bolt that has a smooth shaft which glides within the Lever's attachment tube followed by threads that screw into the Shifter Base. That hole seems to be worn and is now more of an oval.

Is it possible that this oval is allowing too much play that it, along with play from the helm control cable (inherent to cables) and the play from the lower control cable (which is new, but still has inherent play usual to cables) allows too much play so it is restricting the back and forth reach to the lower shift mechanism??

Ideas - I'm reaching the end of my "cable"...

oval not round sounds like a clue, eh

scoflaw said:

oval not round sounds like a clue, eh

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That's what I tackled this afternoon by thinking outside the box. I figured that if I could find some kind of sleeve that would fit inside the oval while the bolt fit just inside the sleeve it might work.

I discovered a brass compression fitting I had in my plumbing parts box. The fitting has compressible rings that are tapered on both ends and it fit over the bolt like a glove. The tapered section of the ring then fit in the edge of the "oval" hole and held the bolt from rocking. It's installed now on the engine's shift bracket and while still able to swing through the F-N-R arc freely, there is now no "rocking" motion as it does so.

That being said, It is engaging Forward how it's setup now and sometimes engages Reverse, but it's on the edge. Not something that I'm willing to live with at the dock. I need it to work every time. I'm calling it a day, but will try again fine tuning the adjustments tomorrow.

Any other ideas??

How does it do when you shift manually at the shift plate on the engine ?

scoflaw said:

How does it do when you shift manually at the shift plate on the engine ?

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With the control cable from the helm removed and the engine running, pushing the lever into Forward takes a bit more oomph than pulling it back into Neutral. Pulling it into reverse is about the same as the force needed for Forward. It goes into gears fully and crisply with no hesitation.

What helm control do you have?

Sounds like time for a rebuild with correct parts, or replace.

As far as the shifting "stiffness", I found my Bravo 3 isn't as smooth as my last Bravo 1, but the helm control and cables on mine are brand new, so maybe it's a "break in" thing. Only took a couple of trips to the dock to get used to it.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I'll take another run at adjusting, taking measurements of the helm cable throws and compare it to the Stb engine that operates nominally.

Bill Curtis said:

What helm control do you have?

Sounds like time for a rebuild with correct parts, or replace.

As far as the shifting "stiffness", I found my Bravo 3 isn't as smooth as my last Bravo 1, but the helm control and cables on mine are brand new, so maybe it's a "break in" thing. Only took a couple of trips to the dock to get used to it.

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The typical dual OEM Merc Control and it seems to be operating fine. They aren't the smoothest or most precise unit but it was working fine last fall before I installed the new lower shift cables.

Here's a link showing the same controls on another boat...
https://www.thehulltruth.com/parts-forum/406439-dual-mercury-binnacle-control-box.html

What symptoms prompted the cable change?

I know on the Alphas, you can move the pin on the shift plate to get more throw in the shift cable. Looking at the Bravo destructions, they fix that dimension at 3 inches from the pivot. I'd try moving it out to, say, 3-1/4" and then try to get both forward and reverse.

Wanderer 290 said:

What symptoms prompted the cable change?

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Bought this boat knowing that it would be a bit of a project, but OMG. Sloppy steering (especially stb drive) and then discovered a leak from the steering pin seal. I'll be starting a new thread outlining the details, but ripping into the transom assembly I found that the shift cable was broken just past the threads.

Nater Potater said:

View attachment 129020 I know on the Alphas, you can move the pin on the shift plate to get more throw in the shift cable. Looking at the Bravo destructions, they fix that dimension at 3 inches from the pivot. I'd try moving it out to, say, 3-1/4" and then try to get both forward and reverse.

Click to expand...

That's just what I did (after taking the helm control apart to see if there is any kind of adjustment - there is not) and after some trial and error it worked! Had to move the stud to about 3 3/8".