Morse control lever stuck, best way to avoid?

[steve yates]

After sitting in the marina for a month or so, the morse control lever would not engage reverse, took copious sprays of wd40 and working it back and forward to get it to do so. Ince working, it managed ok. (its a bit tight anyway) What is the best way to keep it freed off when leaving the boat for a while? Just spray with wd40 or are there better solutions?
thanks.

 

[RichardS]

There are much better sprays that WD40 for lubrication. Something with PTFE in it would be better but I would use aerosol spray lithium white grease. Available at Halfords or any motor factors.

Richard

 

[steve yates]

thx richard, will add to the shopping list

 

[Tranona]

Take it apart and clean all the horrible crud that is causing the problem. Regrease and you do not need to do anything. Just another example of what goes wrong when a boat is neglected, but easily fixed.

 

[Clive]

I agree with Tranona, I think I would also replace the cables over the winter, easy to do and not expensive. Just get the correct length, order over internet, and use old one to pull through. Just ensure you use a proper split pin to secure. Very embarrassing when it falls off in the middle of mooring along side.

 

[scottie]

I agree with Tranona, I think I would also replace the cables over the winter, easy to do and not expensive. Just get the correct length, order over internet, and use old one to pull through. Just ensure you use a proper split pin to secure. Very embarrassing when it falls off in the middle of mooring along side.

If you do change the cables check to see if you can use shorter ones tha existing as it makes for a better installation?

 

[steve yates]

I agree with Tranona, I think I would also replace the cables over the winter, easy to do and not expensive. Just get the correct length, order over internet, and use old one to pull through. Just ensure you use a proper split pin to secure. Very embarrassing when it falls off in the middle of mooring along side.

Thats on the list for sure, the cable already snapped and is bodged together. (hence the stiffness in reverse) Also Jackie from Ardrishaig boatyard told me to replace the morse levers this winter, they are pretty knackered apparently. Will swap for a single control lever hopefully, rather than sep throttle and gear currently.

 

[jim.howes]

Tranona has the right idea, use a good anti-seize grease on all moving parts and spray all surfaces with a sticky grease (Rocol) after assembly, WD40 can wash away grease. You say the control head is/was tight this could be because of too tight a radius on the cable(s)?

Jim

 

[Topcat47]

The possible sources of stiff Morse controls include corrosion in the cables and at the throttle and gearbox ends. The attachment at my gearbox seized solid last year. I replaced all the cables with modern low friction ones, including the stop cable. My morse control was replaced about 10 years ago (Snark's 51) so I expect it to see me out.....