Shift shaft

[zeddy]

Hey everyone. I’m getting ready to replace my shift cable. I was looking at the shift shaft on the lower unit and looks like the neck is bent backwards. I have another alpha 1 stern drive. Looked at that shaft and it also looks like the neck is bent backwards too. Are they this way? Here’s a pic of the shaft I pulled out

 

[zeddy]

Here’s another

 

[JimG]

I'd say after years of use they end up like that... but still should work.

 

[zeddy]

I'd say after years of use they end up like that... but still should work.

Thank you. I hoping for more like “yeah, that’s how they are.” I went ahead a ordered a new one with the shift cable. Since I’m pulling all that apart, I might as well change that too.

 

[Bt Doctur]

They are bent because somebody forgot to put the drive in FWD for installation

 

[zeddy]

They are bent because somebody forgot to put the drive in FWD for installation

Got it. I’ll make sure I don’t make that mistake.

 

[zeddy]

I received the shift shaft and shift cable. All went without a hitch. The shift shaft on the boat was in much worse shape than the one I posted from my spare outdrive. It was not just bent backwards but the neck was also twisted preventing it from fully engaging into reverse.

When we were pulling out the old shift cable jacket, it was torn, came out in two. Cable itself, was just covered in rust.

Now she shifts in forward, neutral reverse without a hitch. Local boat shop quoted me $1200. Got it done for $108.

Real happy, just in time for the season.