[C320-list] Shift linkage failure

[Doug Treff]

OK - just got back from the boat. Removed the compass and the top of the 
pedestal and found the the threaded end of the cable snapped off, 
leaving the brass coupling dangling freely off the shift lever with the 
threaded end of the cable still in it.

Looking on Catalina Direct, they call for a 12 foot cable to replace the 
shift cable on the C-320. I thought about doing the job myself but I'm 
afraid I'll get part way through the job and get stuck, so I'm 
considering hiring a mechanic. Unless you all can convince me it's not 
that difficult. However, all the reading I've been doing online about 
swapping the Edson throttle cable leads me to believe that unless I have 
1" diameter arms and tiny hands, this job is better left to a professional.

While I was at it, I removed all the cushions, engine covers, access 
panels, and the doghouse that covers the steering pulleys under the 
cockpit. Hopefully this will save the mechanic an hour or so of billable 
time. I may even tell him to reassemble only what is necessary to get it 
working and I will put all the covers and whatnots back myself.

Anybody in Maryland who has done this before and has a free evening this 
week is welcome to come and help me if they want... ;-) Free beer for 
the help!!  ;-)

Discuss.

Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On 7/9/2013 12:30 PM, Gary Malcolmson wrote:
> Doug,
>
> Here's one easy thing to check; if you're lucky this would be the easy 
> thing to fix.  See page 5 item # 9 and page 6 bottom right 
> illustration of the Edson Installation Instructions.  There is a clamp 
> that holds the cables to the pedestal tube; if that clamp lost it's 
> fastener you'd experience what you describe.  And most likely your 
> throttle control would be lost also.  Should be easy to check--if the 
> nut is on the outside of the pedestal and is tight, then that's not 
> the problem.
>
> Good Luck--let us know what you find.
>
> Gary
> C310
>
>
> On 7/8/2013 6:55 PM, Doug Treff wrote:
>> All,
>>
>> While backing into my slip tonight, the shift lever went completely 
>> limp. No control whatsoever...  after safely drifting into my slip 
>> (thank god!!!) I went below to have a look. The shift lever on the 
>> transmission seems to work just fine. Somehow it is disconnected from 
>> the control lever on the binnacle.
>>
>> I have not had the binnacle apart before. I am hoping someone has had 
>> a similar problem ad can tell me what I am facing. Is there a linkage 
>> that may have come apart inside the binnacle, or is it more likely a 
>> broken shift cable?
>>
>> Any advice? Links to diagrams, photos, etc that may be helpful??
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>
>