1997 Merc 90Hp

[inshore]

noticed last time out when running trolling motor the outboard in nuetral could hear a clicking noise as prop turned. checked when i got in to dock with motor in nuetral and turned prop about every 1/4 turn a click. wondering if it could be 1 shift linkage 2 bad gear 3 needs grease. antone had this problem and what was it. thanks for the help.

[jmes]

I had a similiar noise on my 150 mercury, If I put it in gear the noise would be more pronounce

mine came up being the gears, I had some teeth broken off the gears. I ended up replacing the

lower unit

[motoman]

I've always been of the mindset of trying the cheapest; and easiest thing first. That being said; im basing my thoughts off of my evinrudes ive had over the years; and a couple older Mercs.

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See if the shift cable can be adjusted a pinch. My initial thought was the cable may have stretched a pinch over time; to where it's just not pulling the shift fork (or whatever specific mechanism is used in your outboard?) clear of the gears when in neutral.

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Be sure you count how many turns; and which direction you turn the nut/wheel on the end of the cable; just so you don't get too far from where you're at now. I would guess, just try a half turn or so to begin with, and see where you're at.

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Be sure and keep us posted with what develops.......good luck!:-)

[Bird Watcher]

noticed last time out when running trolling motor the outboard in nuetral could hear a clicking noise as prop turned. checked when i got in to dock with motor in nuetral and turned prop about every 1/4 turn a click. wondering if it could be 1 shift linkage 2 bad gear 3 needs grease. antone had this problem and what was it. thanks for the help.

Fishinwrench would be your answer, but I'm pretty sure it's normal for there to be a click every 1/4 turn or so if it's in gear. I don't think so in neutral. Maybe your shift linkage is off? Surely Wrench will chime in if he sees this. He's usually very helpful on this stuff.

[fishinwrench]

Shouldn't be any racheting in Neutral. If you can't adjust the cable barrel to get a clean Neutral while still getting a solid shift to F&R then you'll need to have it checked out and fixed right. Could be a worn shift cam or broken detent in the control box, or the bearing carrier in the lower unit walking out.

Shift/throttle cables do not "stretch" (I hear that all the time..... Not sure where that "diagnosis" ever came from, but it's BS). LOL

Don't just let it go though cuz it's probably wearing your shift clutch down pretty good while going down the highway.

[motoman]

Learn something new everyday!, who knew shift/throttle cables didn't stretch?......out of curiosity wrench, why is that?

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I genuinely did not know that; and that has me perplexed since most other materials can stretch with repeated use.

[fishinwrench]

Well sure, if you pull a truck out of a ditch with it it might stretch a bit before it snaps, but your not gonna stretch one while it's hooked up between the outboard shift linkage and control box.....other things will give first.

Control cables both push and pull...... why do we never hear of them "being compressed" ?

Next time you are faced with a cable that you think might be "stretched" go ahead and pull that core out and measure it. If you bring me a stretched one I'll buy you lunch.