Teleflex Morse Side Mount sailboat control lever - serviceable?

[homer]

Having a problem with the engine control lever (the one with the red de-clutch button) de-clutching when it shouldn't (but only in astern). Can't see how to split the metal box and get to the guts of it - is this possible? Any wise words much appreciated.

 

[jerryat]

I'm a bit puzzled as to what you mean by 'metal box' as the rear of my Teleflex Morse is open, showing the cable connections clearly. Perhaps your unit is visble from the rear so they put a cover on it. If this is the case I can't help, however I would guess that you had to remove the lever first, then the plastic face plate in order to access the screws holding it on.

The whole lot is accessible from the rear - assuming you can get to it. I stripped mine down and carried out repairs (temporary) when it started jamming. Turned out the little rollers that run in the guides to move the cables had virtually disintegrated. And it was only 22 years old too!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Unless it's been removed and greased regularly, it's unlikely you'll be able to remove the lever, so removal of the whole lot may be a problem.

Tip: make a careful note of the position of the rollers when you remove the back as it's essential that they are replaced in exactly the same place. The lever should be vertical.

 

[Seagreen]

Curiously, I'm having exactly the same problem. My gear lever has "jammed" in neutral with the Forward/Reverse cable connection arm not responding to the lever, and not being affected by the Neutral button, which moves freely. I'm going to dismantle it as it was working fine last week, and I don't believe it could catastrophically fail overnight. Suggestions welcome.

 

[tross]

Ah! Yes! Well know this problem

You will need a big can of WD40 and spray into the core of the control where the red button goes ( from both sides ) And, don't forget to put something to catch all the crud that falls out when you do this

 

[jerryat]

It is actually very easy to get to the 'button' from the rear of these units, after you have removed the cable levers.. As you probably know, the red plastic is only a cover for a metal 'pin' which is spring loaded. It is this spring and the metal pin that corrode a bit and expand against the plastic, causing it to start jamming.

Whilst you can certainly spray WD40 into it, in the end it is far better (and more permanent) to take the pin and spring out, clean off any corrosion, and grease them thoroughly before re-assembling.

There's nothing magic about these very good bits of kit and, except for the lever, they are very easy to dismantle and reassemble. The little rollers I mentioned earlier seem to be made of a relatively soft metal and deteriorate causing the 'axles' they fit over to jump out of the grooves or jam in them.

As I said, my unit was over 24 years old and, whilst I was able to do a temporary repair to get us back from France, I did replace the whole thing the following winter.

 

[scottie]

best known as a TX control badged by volvo bukh yanmat etc

ist option try taking the red button off and replacing it as it swells and jams
speray as suggested but if that does not work replace the control as it will fail sooner rather than later

all the single lever controls have a mechanism the is esential a pin in a slot to allow neutral run up
the pin if not cleanly dropped into the slot wears a slope in the slot and fails