Sticking morse lever

[PabloPicasso]

I was out today with several kids on board. Went form neutral to forwards... ....nothing happened. Into reverse and still nothing. Heart in the mouth moment as we drifted merrily towards some rocks. Through out the kedge which saved us. Fiddled with the morse lever similar to the one in the picture and the gearbox engaged, pulled in the kedge and off we went again.

Is there anything serviceable about these morse levers, or is it it likely too old and due for replacement? Is it worthwhile taking it apart, or spraying easing oil in, or will that do more harm than good. I've used this type of lever on many boats but never needed to service one before. Anything I should look out for?

 

[colind3782]

If it's the same as mine, and it looks like it, it's not really serviceable as the inside is a sealed box. A new one cost me about €180.

 

[Poignard]

I took one to pieces. It wasn't difficult but the wear and corrosion I found decided me to buy a new one.

I bought one from www.foxsonline.com in 2013. It cost £106 including vat and carriage. The stock number was AFTX-172103, description CTRL B MECH TX700.

 

[Tranona]

It could be the control box itself which can be cleaned and regreased or it could be the cables. Suggest you take the lever and front cover off and expect you will find the fastenings that hold the box into the panel . You need to access the back to remove it and you will see the levers and cable attachments which will probably be full of crud.

 

[awol]

If the red button sticks in then the symptoms described are produced. Strip and clean but in the meantime leave the red button alone.

 

[Leighb]

We experienced this once, fortunately not at an awkward moment. It was due to the "red" button sticking. You push it in to disengage the drive when starting with a bit of throttle, and then when you move it back to neutral it doesn't pop out leaving you with no gears.
This can be sorted with a little bit of fiddling and lubrication if that is the cause.

AWOL beat me to it!

 

[BabaYaga]

a little bit of fiddling

Fiddling might well include taking the lever off and with a rolled up emery paper slightly enlarge the hole out of which the red button should protrude. Corrosion on this surface may cause the sticking.

 

[ctva]

Schematics on line but they are simple items. It is easy and well worth stripping, cleaning and greasing. I did the same for the pod leg mounted version a few years back if you search for the thread.

or here too...
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...er-how-often-and-how-to-do-it&highlight=morse

 

[MM5AHO]

Very serviceable and not too difficult. Have done mine a few times, but also replaced a broken one. Requires a bit of lube on the cables.

 

[bikedaft]

die cast alum inside=corrosion heaven. fixable, but i bought a new one, and will (eventually) fit it inside a locker away from seawater.

ours did the same - i dutifully checked forward and reverse were working/prop shaft rotating/boat moving before casting off. then couldn't get it out of neutral after casting off. grr. the wee button/interlock had rotated.

 

[Stemar]

Mine had a strop recently, requiring a very firm hand to change gear. It turned out to be the cable, which had seized at the gearbox end. A relatively cheap and straightforward repair

 

[AndyL]

Mine did that earlier this year. Would not engage fwd gear. Had to go astern then try again. Shortly after that the cable broke. . . .

 

[PabloPicasso]

H]
Is this Volvo penta badged lever the same as a teleflex model?

 

[PabloPicasso]

Mine did that earlier this year. Would not engage fwd gear. Had to go astern then try again. Shortly after that the cable broke. . . .

Where did the cable break, at the morse control end or by the engine/gearbox?

 

[Poignard]

Where did the cable break, at the morse control end or by the engine/gearbox?

I had one break at the gearbox end, without warning. Fortunately the boat was ashore at the time!

 

[Tranona]

H]View attachment 73823View attachment 73824
Is this Volvo penta badged lever the same as a teleflex model?

They are all much the same inside although the detail of fittings for example vary. There are two rocking levers around the same axis, one engine control, one gear and a plunger for separating them so you can operate the engine control without the gear. The central button operates the plunger - some push in others pull out, but principle is the same.

All becomes clear once you access the back.