Reverse broken?

[Jebeckman127]

Hi there, I just have a very quick service question about my 2008 Sea Doo RX jet ski. Yesterday I took it on the water and when pushing down on the reverse lever (going from reverse to forward), it felt like something broke internally, and now the ski will not accelerate forward…. It only goes in reverse. In other words, reverse works, but not forward movement/acceleration. Is this a problem with the reverse shaft or something else? If I can get a better idea of what the problem is, I’ll likely bring it in for service, just wanted to get a general scope of what it might be first. Thanks so much!

 

[Milehighguy303]

I suspect your reverse cable broke and possibly the reverse spring as well. Try moving your reverse lever back and forth and see if your reverse bucket moves up and down. If the bucket moves up and down, then see if you can see a large spring on the left side of the bucket and jet pump (left as you are looking at the ski from the rear). If your spring is missing or not attached at both ends, it is missing and needs to be replaced. If your bucket doesn’t move up and down, then your reverse cable broke and has jammed your bucket in the down position. Not a major fix, just needs a new reverse cable, but for a handsome price it can be running new again!

 

[Jebeckman127]

Thank you! Any other feedback is appreciated!

 

[Mdim]

When this happened to me the other day was the reverse lock nut. Retains the cable and also seals the hull. Went out and it would engage reverse but had to disengage by hand. Common failure point, cheap plastic that breaks over time. Replaced mine with aluminum aftermarket unit.

 

[Milehighguy303]

Good point Mdim… I have had the reverse cable lock nut break too, years ago. I used OE to replace mine, but it appeared that the OE part had maybe been reinforced to me. Been good ever since.