Stiff Gear Levers

[Corky]

My 20 yr old Hardy has the traditional Morse gear/throttle levers which are getting harder to push than they used to be. The tensioner screws are slack and there appears to be grease at the top end but how can I lubricate the whole cable? Or are they past their best and need replacing? I don't imagine they're cheap.

 

[Tranona]

They don't need lubrication. Quite probably the lining is breaking down in the cables, but it could be that the control mechanism needs cleaning and greasing. Cables are not particularly expensive and widely available. However getting them out can be a pain depending on the installation.

 

[Forty_Two]

I had this on my GB42CL. It's nearly always the cable & they need replacing. You need to disconnect the cable at both ends & see how it moves. New cables make an amazing difference. ASAP do a good range which I used (no connection just a customer).

I did take all my Morse units to bits but found no issues, not bad for 45 years, so yours should be fine! Just a bit of grease on the shafts etc. You can find find drawings with Google.

Really worth doing considering the safety implications of a stuck lever or cable.

 

[Corky]

Thanks for your thoughts folks. The top end is well greased and without the cables moves smoothly. I imagine the cables bake dry in proximity to the engine. I'll price the cables at ASAP thank you.

 

[Corky]

Has anyone replaced with an electronic throttle/gear system? I used one on a small boat in Oz and its smoothness impressed me. Short lever didn't impress on a choppy sea though.

 

[boatmike]

You don't say what engines/gearboxes you have but you should disconnect the gearbox end of the cable and see if its the cables or box. When did you last check the oil level in the box???
When disconnected if still stiff its cables (I hope for your sake) if it becomes free when disconnected it could be the box especially if its mechanical rather than hydraulic.

 

[kashurst]

re electronic throttles - I bought a boat that had electronic conversion throttles fitted - not worth the money and just something else to go wrong. keep it simple and stick with the cables.

 

[petem]

Not to mention that the conversion costs a few thousand.

 

[Corky]

Engines are AD31 with VP 290 O/Drive legs. I'll try disconnecting the cables at the engine end and see how they perform. Good suggestion.

 

[GrahamHR]

re electronic throttles - I bought a boat that had electronic conversion throttles fitted - not worth the money and just something else to go wrong. keep it simple and stick with the cables.

Electronic shift actuators ( expensive to replace) on smaller boats are a stupid idea as well; they only move a slightly shorter cable after all... and when they fail, they cause all sorts of problems with the engine(s) going into "safe" mode. A totally unnecessary complication ( and a slower gear change as well)..