[C320-list] Shifter

[Doug Treff]

Diane, 

Definitely address the issues by lubricating the linkages on both ends
of the cable. These cables are not meant to have lube added internally
inside the jacketing because they are meant to be sealed assemblies. If
lubing the linkages does not remedy the issue it may be time to replace
the cable, as JJ pointed out. 

JJ is also correct that the shift cable replacement is not easy - and it
will be expensive if you hire someone to do the job. However I was able
to replace my own cable, and it cost me only for the part which was less
than $50 but it took the better part of a week of my time in the
evenings and a LOT of sweat and crawling around the aft cabin. The
hardest part of the whole job was the connection in the pedestal. It is
not a one person job because you will need someone below and above when
doing the pedestal connections. I found the following web page very
helpful even though it was not a Catalina.Obviously the lengths he
referenced are incorrect, but the article is still useful. Catalina
Direct recommends 12 or 14 foot cables for our Catalina 320's. Yours
should be marked as in the article to figure out what length to buy. 

http://spartina.blogspot.com/2009/05/replacing-throttle-and-shift-cables.html


Lesson learned here is the following. When I bought the boat in 2012,
the engine survey revealed a need to replace the THROTTLE cable because
the jacket had been allowed to melt against the exhaust. Of course
that's all we replaced because there was no indication of the shift
cable being a problem. Fast forward one year, and the shift cable
snapped while I was in reverse backing into my slip. Looking back on
that, the cost of having BOTH cables replaced in 2012 would have only
been increased by the cost of the parts since all the same areas need to
be accessed to replace the cables. 

All that being said, if it is determined that the shift cable needs to
be replaced, and your shift cable is of unknown vintage, go ahead and
have the throttle cable done at the same time as a preventive measure
and peace of mind. Your call - do the job twice when the other cable
fails, or do it once for an extra ~$50. 

Last, yours has not failed yet - good on you for noticing that it needs
attention. Better to replace it proactively rather than finding out the
hard way like I did - while backing into my slip. 

My $0.02 

---
Doug Treff
Catalina 320 - 1996 - September Song - #350
http://savvysailor.blogspot.com/
doug at treff.us

On 2016-03-01 12:24, JJ Morrison wrote: 

> Look at where the shifter cable attaches to the shifting lever on the transmission. Mine was corroded there and the shifter cable eventually broke off because the pin could not rotate, necessitating a shifter cable replacement, not easy or cheap! The linkage at the transmission should be lubricated at least once a year with white grease to facilitate shifting and prevent corrosion. Also at the binnacle end where the shifter cable attaches to the shifting lever should be lubricated once a year. If those two points seem to be in good nick then the shifter cable should be detached from the transmission lever and the shifter lever moved back and forth. the cable should move easily when this is done. If it is stiff to move it probably means a shifter cable replacement due to wear or corrosion. The attachment ends of the throttle cable should be lubricated there as well.cheersJohnM1999#574