North River Throttle Linkage?

[GorgeCaster]

Anybody know how to lube the throttle linkage? I have a Merc 115 4stroke and the linkage is good going forward but in reverse it is very stiff and seems to almost bindup. Do you lube the linkage some how? Or take the cover off the throttle assembly and lube there? Could there be corrosion in the cables? The boat is a 2002 and it only had 5 hours on it when I bought it. Could they be corroded or stiff because of lack of use?
Thank you for any advise.

[12pulls]

Anybody know how to lube the throttle linkage? I have a Merc 115 4stroke and the linkage is good going forward but in reverse it is very stiff and seems to almost bindup. Do you lube the linkage some how? Or take the cover off the throttle assembly and lube there? Could there be corrosion in the cables? The boat is a 2002 and it only had 5 hours on it when I bought it. Could they be corroded or stiff because of lack of use?
Thank you for any advise.

It is better just to buy a new cable, very easy to replace. Pull the throttle cable, measure the length, and head off to Steven's Marine for a replacement (it's a Merc product not a NR). Might as well change out the shift linkage also since they are the same age. Did this every 5 years or so when I had a forward helm boat, it really is just maintanance, cost is fairly inexpensive and better than having a cable break while miles from the boat dock (don't ask me how I know :whistle:). Take the good cable and save it for a backup if you loose a cable later early in a weekend to salvage your weekend. Good luck! When you pull the cover on the control box, lube everything with an appropiate lube.

[GorgeCaster]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah it is probably ready to be replaced.

[greese munkee]

My guess seems how it only has 5 hours on it it was never adjusted right and the other owner just dealt with it. The throttle cable pulls in the same direction in forward or reverse the shift cable doesn't. Hard to explain but between forward detent and reverse detent the throttle cable can not bottom out or you will get a binding feeling. Is it a side control or a binnacle. The binnacle is very picky on how they are set up in the shifter were the side control is not. If it is bottoming out a couple of twists on the hyme on the throttle cable should cure the problem. You can do this at the motor or the shifter, usually easer on the motor. If you need more help let me know. JP

[GorgeCaster]

My guess seems how it only has 5 hours on it it was never adjusted right and the other owner just dealt with it. The throttle cable pulls in the same direction in forward or reverse the shift cable doesn't. Hard to explain but between forward detent and reverse detent the throttle cable can not bottom out or you will get a binding feeling. Is it a side control or a binnacle. The binnacle is very picky on how they are set up in the shifter were the side control is not. If it is bottoming out a couple of twists on the hyme on the throttle cable should cure the problem. You can do this at the motor or the shifter, usually easer on the motor. If you need more help let me know. JP
What is a binnacle? The controls are on a forward helm, so I am assuming it is a side control. It's weird forward is a little stiff, but reverse it just feels like it is binding and has alot of throw until it engages in reverse.

[greese munkee]

The binnacle mounts to the dash. The side control mounts to the gunnel next to your seat. Does it only bind at the beginning of going into reverse and forward and then become smooth for the rest of the throw. It still sounds like it is out of adjustment. The throttle cable has to cam over at a certain time, between detents, for it to work properly. Still kind of hard to explain. If you remove the cowling and have someone shift as you watch the movement of the cables you might understand what I am trying to say. In forward detent you should be able to remove the throttle hyme off the post easily with some slop. Same in reverse detent. If it is bottoming out it will not slide on or off easily. JP

[GorgeCaster]

Then it is a side mount. Forward it is pretty smooth all the way through, yet in reverse it is really stiff as you start but it eases as you get towards the bottom. We took the cowl and threw it forward and reverse but we do not really know what we are looking at. It just seems weird that it only does it one way. Also when we are putting into reverse the cables almost criss cross right back of the side mount. Is that normal? It seems to be putting alot of stress on those cables. Maybe I should just take it somewhere and have them looked at.

[greese munkee]

I'm sure it is just a little out of adjustment but not sure I can talk you through it. I know this is a little late but have to ask, are you trying all this on dry land or in the water with the motor running. If not in the water and running you have to turn the prop will shifting to have the gears mesh or you will bind also. Just trying to help, sorry I can't explain better. If you are running the motor or turning prop while shifting and is still binding, it sounds like your cable is at its max throw and needs adjusted, just a turn or two on the throttle cable hyme joint. JP

[GorgeCaster]

We were just trying in the shop, didn't know the prop had to be turning. So in the water it will be easier to adjust? Maybe we will give it a try this week, or just wait until after springer season. Have a long wait until steelies start. Thanks for everything.

[greese munkee]

Sorry for not thinking about asking the in shop question first. It will Shift in the water running the same as it will shift in your shop, but in your shop you must have someone turning the prop while you are shifting it. Just wondering, was all this binding in the shop or was it doing it on the water with the motor running? If it was all in the shop and you were not turning your prop while shifting you probable don't have a problem. If it was all in the shop give the prop a turn while shifting into reverse and you will feel it mesh into gear then when you go back to forward it won't mesh until you give the prop a turn. Give this a try and I think your worries will be over. Very rarely will you get forward and reverse to mesh without turning the prop. These are all set up on dry ground, no need to be in the water. JP

[GorgeCaster]

Thanks, I'll try that.