Reverse lever kinda stuck - need new cable?

[KiloRomeo]

Hey there.

Last time I took the ski out the reverse cable seems to have gotten stuck. If someone is pulling on the scooper and I'm pulling on the handle it seems to work but if you just pull the handle nothing happens. It's almost as if the cable got stretched or something. Should I just replace the cable or is something else going on here?

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

If stuck in forward and cannot shift out, I suspect the latch mechanism on the reverse bucket. There's an upgrade to replace the aluminum latch with a stainless steel one, aluminum was discontinued, I think.

 

[KiloRomeo]

I dont think it's the latch mechanism because I've tested it with that disconnected. It's something between the handle and the end of the cable.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Maybe the cable inner wire is binding in the sheath as it moves back and forth. I just realized you're probably riding in salt being in Fl and it's pretty common for salt to get inside the cable sheath and harden up into mineral deposits causing the inner wire to bind (difficult to move).

So if there's no obvious problem at either end I'd agree the cable is binding and the best option is replacement. Cleaning and lubricating cables internally is only a temporary solution at best, in my experience.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Disconnect both ends and move the lever and bucket by hand. If you can do so easily, you need a cable..