Shift cables stiff

340DA

Member
Jul 21, 2008
365
LI Sound
Boat Info
2000 Sundancer Sport Cruiser
Engines
454 Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drives
The shift cables on my 2000 340 Sundancer are stiff. They operate just fine but are stiff to move in both directions. They have always been that way. This is my 5th season with the boat. I am the 2nd owner. I have twin 7.4 Mercs with Bravo 3 outdrives

2 Questions:
1. Any ideas why they are stiff and can this be resolved without replacing them?
2. How difficult are they to replace? How expensive?

Thanks
 
First isolate exactly what part of your shifting system is stiff.

Could be the shifter itself, the long throttle cable, which in turn moves the throttle linkage and the lower shift cable, that goes to your outdrive, or the lower shift cable itself.

I would start by disconnecting the lower shift cable at the throttle plate first. The lower shifter cable is a maintenance item that usually fails first.
 
It is your cable from out drive take end off and spray WD40 down the tube should free it up.
 
Replace the shift cables. Once they are bad, they are bad. Anything else is half-a$$ and not a good fix. You would hate to hit the dock or something else because you can't get it in/out of gear.
 

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