Shifter cable adjustment?

[henryb]

I have a 2000 Challenger 1800, 210HP... When I first bought the boat back in June, the shifter did not have "N" quite set right, it was still driving forward a bit, so to get "N", I had to hold the shift lever slightly toward Reverse, so the boat would stop moving Forward.

So I removed the cable from the reverse gate and turned the brass adjustment linkage/knob a few turns and sure enough I found that balanced "N" position.

Now, I think I have solved one problem, but created another! Now the shift lever does not go all the way to the "R" position for Reverse, and it appears the it should go a bit further then the full distance for the "F" position. It all seems to work fine, but it's not quite right.

Also now when driving the boat and there is any amount of lateral motion, such as in a power turn... The shift lever buffets, like it wants to kick out of Forward position. This must be due to the reverse gate catching some water being forced against it?

So I'm thinking that another adjustment must also be made under the shift/throttle lever unit itself to accommodate for the adjustment I made down at the reverse gate?

Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks,
Brent.


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[buckeye_paul]

I have the same boat and tried the same thing a couple years ago. I just couldn't find the sweet spot. I gave up and live with a slightly forward neutral. Hope you have better luck. Let us know if you get it figured out.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... it's just the problem with the Merc Sport jet. Since you adjusted the cable... make sure that the gate is locked when in the full forward position.

 

[henryb]

With enough playing around with small adjustments, I think we have found a good balance of Neutral and allowing the reverse gate to "lock" into the Forward position... no more buffeting in turns now! And when in neutral, there is a very very slight forward motion, but almost nothing... turn the steering wheel one way or the other and it will sit in one spot and rotate, like it says it's supposed to.

So I am quite pleased with that effort to get it just right, most importantly, that it is locking in Forward.

 

[Dr Honda]

Hummm.... No buffeting. I may have to look at my cable closer.

 

[henryb]

Nothing better then being able to give a little bit back, for all of the help you have provided. I'm sure everyone feels the same way... Thanks again for all of your assistance.