Don Leveque

SignGuy321

i just purchased a new to me 2003 342. The shifting seems to be pretty stiff. It difficult to put the boat in gear and change the speeds. It seems to me like it needs to be lubed. I had my marina check it out and they’re saying there is no adjustment or place to lubricate the cables or shifters. They want to pull the boat and replace the cables to the tune of about $1000. I’m new to the “big boat” world and just don’t want to get hosed. 

GMSLITHO

on both motors 

SignGuy321

Yes. 

zaverin1

You adjust the friction?
lift the control cover and you will see adjustment screws 
that’s where you would lube also
anorher lube point is at the engine linkage 

davidbrooks

i had the same impression when i got my 342.  The broker that went with me on the test run told me it was normal....just get used to it.  I did a lot of practicing out in the open.

GMSLITHO

From what I know I wouldn't change the shift cables unless it won't engage in forward or reverse ,(if its stretched a little )

reneechris14

It's very easy to disconnect from the motor and move them to check if they move freely.

Dream_Inn

Could be several things.  Shift cable from the motor to the stern drive could be bad.  Or, there is a ball detent on your outdrive that needs changed.  I had this on my prior bravo 3 drive and I changed it out and it worked better.

reneechris14

Be careful shifting a Bravo3 when it's not running.

randy56

@reneechris14  explanation?  

GMSLITHO

Yep don’t move the cables from the engine to the drive just disconnect the cable from the motor  to the drive and don’t move them or the round barrel on the threaded rod and see if the controls from the helm move smooth 

Stodge

I've had to have a new binnacle (shifter) which of course needed different cables.  But she shifts smooth as butter now.

pistole

maybe its me , but what the heck is DON LEVEQUE ?

raybo3

pistole said:

maybe its me , but what the heck is DON LEVEQUE ?

That's his name.......

reneechris14

randy56 said:h

@reneechris14  explanation?  

The way the shift forks sit in the upper unit and if the gears aren't moving your just jamming them around, or so I have been told. Remember I'm no pro just a...

reneechris14

randy56

@reneechris14 when you first mentioned beware of shifting without engine running. I thought you had a good reason. Just never heard that before. As boat owners we have to do not do that to much. Maybe to change props, or remove outdrive.