vic008
Well-Known Member
Have a Ultra flex single lever control. It is over 30yr old.Do these wear out over the years or is it still worth overhauling. ? (VP 2003)
Trouble engaging neutral
- Thread starter vic008
- Start date
RichardS
N/A
It is certainly worth greasing the internals but trouble with selection is more likely to be cable adjustment.
Richard
Richard
[70521]
Well-Known Member
When was it last serviced?
MikeCC
Well-Known Member
Make sure the cables are routed correctly. I had a similar problem. Somehow the cable had got the wrong side of a fitting. That put enough pressure on it to prevent neutral or reverse being selected.
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
A little more info might help diagnose if it is a matter of adjustment or wear and tear. Does it always remain in ahead. always remain in astern. or some times remain in ahead and sometimes in astern.
pandos
Well-Known Member
Came across a boat recently with a similar problem...turned out to be the revs were not dropping sufficiently for a smooth gearchange...the key was that it would shift if the engine was stopped...
vic008
Well-Known Member
Yes to all that. The point I was trying to make was is it at the end of its usefull life. ie nothing lasts forever. It sounds like good for another decade or so.
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
If this is the answer to my question then your problem is not adjustment but wear and tear in the pins and trunnions behind the control lever. Possibly in a position where regular greasing is almost impossible, Being I Tight Welshman I would make new better fitting pins and ream the holes in the trunnions if necessary to get rid of the lost motion however splashing the cash and replacing is also an option.
scottie
Well-Known Member
Why not disconnect the cable at gearbox end and check if neutral is selectable?
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
I am pretty sure we have already established that Neutral is where it always has been but the Teleflex system disputes this. I have driven boats before with this problem and found that doing what comes naturally works if done with care. If driving ahead move the single lever to neutral and then inch it into astern just enough to reach neutral then return the lever to neutral. Like wise if running astern then move the lever just past neutral to ahead and then return the lever to neutral. The gears are held in neutral by a spring detent in the gearbox. The problem as I mentioned earlier is too much free play in the system due to worn pins and holes in the mechanism which are easily sorted if you have the resources or can find a fitter who can fit. In years gone by we all learned to drive imperfect cars which suffered similar problems and accepted it as part of life . No one remember those horrendous wheel mounted gear shifts.
