[C320-list] Shifter

[Rick]

Doug, 
Could you please explain exactly where the shift cable broke or snapped and
what you believe was the root cause? Thanks.

For others who suffered cable failures, should one surmise that most of the
throttle or shift cable failures are occurring on saltwater boats? Any
freshwater failures? So far, I have not seen evidence of wear on my throttle
or shift cables and am wondering if after 20 seasons and 1,300 hours if the
cables should be replaced as a preventative measure because a cable failure
is imminent.  Any thoughts? 

FYI/DIY Item: Last spring I replaced the pedestal shift lever's 1"white
Delrin liner.  The shift lever became increasingly sloppy over time and
required increased force to move the move lever in and out of gear.  The
worn liner also accumulated grit accelerating liner wear. Initially I feared
that I was having a shift cable problem before I figured out what was
causing the sloppy shifter. As a result of the (liner) bushing wear, the
shift lever's shaft was also occasionally contacting some metal hardware
just inside the pedestal creating a grinding/scrapping feel whenever the
lever was moved. After the replacement liner was installed, the shift lever
was restored to be as firm and work as smoothly as when it was new. A
replacement Delrin liner (bushing) is available from Edson.    

Rick Sulewski
My-Ria
95' C320 hull #277


-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of Doug Treff
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 1:50 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Shifter

 

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.htm
l


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