1986 Force 125 shifting trouble?

Question

You have to toss the gear shift forward or reverse fast to get it to catch it grinds some times then it catches others???

Also is there a slip clutch on stainless props? I wonder if that would cause the boat to jerk

Answer 1

If this is your first outboard, and it's been like this since you got it, you might be describing a normal shift.

As mentioned above, there's no slip clutch in an outboard.  The gears are engaged by a "clutch dog" - it has basically four corners, and meshes "on the fly" so to speak.

The actual forward and reverse gears are meshed with the drive shaft pinion 100% of the time, the clutch dog is splined on the prop shaft between 'em and moves forward or aft to engage.  If that makes sense.

Don't shift slowly into gear - the grinding you hear is just wearing down your gearset.  Expensive parts, but they last a long, long, long time if you'll shift quickly and descisively;  you want to hear a good solid "CLUNK!" when it engages.

Like the guy said, don't shift at over 1000 RPMs.

The prop has a rubber "hub" pressed in, to take the shock of shifting (and accidental contact with, say, a boat ramp) off the drive train.

Answer 2

sounds like your idle is to high  it should idle between 750 and 1000 rpms   also it sounds like you might have to get the linkage cable adjusted  but first check the idle then the cable   the prop is solid except for the rubber insert thats bult into the shaft  [the hub] and when they go they go and when you shift you have to do it fast not slow or it will grind

Answer 3

there's no slip clutch on the props that i know of,that sounds more like the cable has slipped loose than anything when you move it on to forward position you should feel it take in gear,with a slight jerk,the prop has nothing to do with that part of it,my boat did this and the cable was just about broke in to on it,after i replaced it and adjusted it everything worked fine again,you may just need to have it adjusted,force is usually a smooth shifting engine,you got a problem with cable or an adjustment,id also check the prop lubricant in it,that will cause it to grind if it gets too low,that can burn out the lower end of the foot in a hurry if it gets too low,good luck.