Forward/Reverse Friction Adjustment

[johnso30]

In short, is there some way to adjust the friction of the forward/reverse control in the control box, other than the throttle friction screw?

My throttle levers are really hard to move in/out of neutral. I’ve adjusted the throttle friction screws and I can’t loosen them anymore or else the throttle will start slipping and loosing speed while underway.

I assumed that it was probably the cables stiffening up, so I opened up the throttle control box and lubricated the cables. The cables move smoothly when they aren’t connected to the control box, and the reverse gate moves freely as well, so it’s definitely the control box that is the issue.

I looked at the controls some while I had them open and was hoping to see some adjustment similar to the throttle friction screw, but for the forward/reverse part of the control. I didn’t see any adjustment, but thought I would ask to see if I’m just missing it.

 

[Beachbummer]

When you disconnected the cables, the levers were still stiff and hard to move?

So far it's always the cables, hence my clarifying question.

 

[Scottintexas]

so the levers move easily after you get past neutral ?

it's just the initial "bump" or detent to get out of neutral ?

 

[johnso30]

so the levers move easily after you get past neutral ?

it's just the initial "bump" or detent to get out of neutral ?

Yep, for the most part they move fairly easily/smoothly once out of neutral. They are just hard getting them out of that first bump/detention. I’ve noticed that I instinctively hold the two levers in such a way that when I push them out of neutral, I’m pushing one of the levers out of neutral just a hair earlier than the other, so that I’m only fighting that friction point on one lever at a time. When I have my wife or someone else drive, they struggle getting it out of neutral.

And to Beachbummer: yes, when I disconnected the cables, the levers were still stiff, to get them out of the neutral spot.

 

[Scottintexas]

I don't know an answer for you,

have you seen this post about fixing a slipping throttle, it's got a good view inside the shifter,

https://jetboaters.net/threads/throttle-dropping-check-here.299/#post-2412

i'm guessing either your indent is to big and needs to be filed down or maybe the inner is just to tight ?????

 

[biffdotorg]

Scott nailed it. If you have tightened your friction screws to fix throttle drop, then it's time you do it correctly. Loosen up the friction screws to the point that the throttles work as expected. If you have throttle drop, then take the throttles apart and do the fix. Most of us have done it and agree it was stupid easy and wish we had done it well before we took the time to do it.

Good luck,

 

[johnso30]

Yeah, I’ve already done the throttle drop fix, so the throttle friction screw isn’t overly tight, so that’s not the issue. It’s just really stiff getting it in/out of neutral. It’s fine beyond that.

i think Scott is right that something else needs filed down or adjusted inside the controls, but no idea what. I was hoping someone else had tackled this and figured out the fix… I’ve actually upgraded to an AR250 and sold this boat (2010 242LS) to a family member, so was just trying to make it better for them, but also don’t want to experiment too much since it’s not mine. I don’t want to break it and then find that it’s not in stock, and them not able to use it when they want to.