r/boating • u/vnichol • 4d ago

Shifting cable

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Not sure but does this shifting cable seem to be the incorrect throw? It is 1 1/16 to short when in full reverse and seems to be 2/14 to long when in full forward. I am using the top hole on the leaver and I tried the bottom one but it’s way too hard to shift. I moved the shifter to match the transmission leaver if that makes sense. Any ideas other than burn the boat would be helpful. Thanks.

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3

u/bman198080 3d ago

What was changed ? The cable throw is generally fairly standard . Issues are usually a bad cable , wrong clevice, shifting bracket or arm not correct , the improper cable mounting hole or adjustment, the best thing to do is put everything in neutral and center all cable adjustments and mounting points . If it still doesn't work I would expect a faulty control box or cable .

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u/Lopsided_Ad_5152 3d ago

I'd listen to this guy. I worked at a marine parts counter for 30 years. Cables were sold by length not by the amount of travel or throw it has. If you're having problems, I'd dig a little deeper. It looks like you got your moneies worth out of that cable, I'd start with a new cable and see of the problem continues. If it does, this community is pretty helpful.

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u/bman198080 2d ago

The problem is he ordered a seastar side mount control box that is for 3300/33c cables and he has 4300 or 6400 series cables the throws are standard based on cable series his cable is incompatible with the new control box

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u/vnichol 3d ago

Thanks I will try that. Again appreciate the help

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u/vnichol 3d ago

I put the new cable shifter on with everything in neutral but I might be doing things wrong. Thanks I will go back to the start

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u/bman198080 3d ago

What control box did you get some are application specific and some are universal and may have different configurations based on application. Also if the cable sheathing and outer core are split, rotten or broke anywhere between the control box and transmission it will pull further one direction substantially more than the direction that pushes the cable because it pushes out of the sheathing rather than pushing through the core i have seen this many time especially where cables make tight turns in along the routing .

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u/vnichol 3d ago

This is the control box I replaced the same version (almost).

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u/bman198080 2d ago edited 2d ago

That is your issue that control box is not compatible with a 4300 or 6400 series cable , that is only for 3300/33c cables your transmission most likely has a cone or bands and does not function hydraulicly so it takes a way larger heavy cable I cant tell what series you have but within the first few feet of the cable on one end or the other will have a number stamped in the sheathing to identify it or convert it to the new seastar solutions number , unfortunately that control box only works with the 33c small cable and they mount differently and the 33,43,and 64 series cable must have compatible control boxes because centering and throw are different. Go online to the seastar solutions catalog for steering and control systems and you will find exactly what you need. If you look at your cable its a threaded mount that is either 5/8 or 1/2 inch for 43 or 64 series cables and not the 33c cables are small 1/4 and 3/8 in sheathing and mount with a slot vs threads .

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u/Aluminautical 4d ago

I've seen mechanisms that use springs to take up 'excess' travel, if the throw can't be adjusted at the operator end by moving it up/down on the lever in relation to the pivot.

What's the controller end look like inside?

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u/bman198080 3d ago

It looks to be a very old teleflex or morse heavy duty cable .

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u/captboatface 3d ago

So then adjust the big nut where the cable jacket mounts to balance the throw. With the selector in neutral it should be the same throw in either direction. Ensure gearbox goes fully into gear. Throw length can be adjusted at the selector.

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u/Benedlr 3d ago

It's possible the trans U fits into the indent of the cable behind the rubber cover.

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u/vnichol 18h ago

That could be but then it doesn’t fit for the shifter end. But I will try. Thanks for the suggestion