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I'm halfway through a full bellows / gimbal / water hose replacement on my drive. I decided to replace the shift cable since I have everything torn apart anyway. Everything is PM, no issues with performance. Right now I'm wishing I had left the cable off my to do list...
Unfortunately, the brass retaining nut on the end of the shift cable housing is stripped / rounded over and my shift cable socket tool will not bite. I'm currently soaking the threads with PB blaster, and plan to hit the back of the housing with a torch to help loosed everything up. My hope is that these measures loosen it up enough for the tool to remove the "nut"...
Anyone else run into this issue? Any helpful suggestions?

Thanks!

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-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1

Is the tool opening up when you try to put torque on it?

Assuming this is the split tool that allows you to put it on over the cable.

On the 1984 drive does the retainer thread in from the aft or fore side of the bell housing?

Since you are putting a new cable in anyways, cut as much of the old cable away and see if you can get a regular socket on the retaining nut.

You may have to pull the bell housing out of the gimbal ring. Since you are this far anyway, it only requires taking the 2 pivot pins out to get it out. Once it is out you can cut more of the old cable off and get at it much better.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

The tool I have is a one piece socket with a nut welded on the end. The retainer nut is aft on the bell housing. I have the housing removed from the gimbal ring already. The bronze retainer nut on the shift cable is rounded over and the shift cable tool just slips when I give it any torque.
I didn't have time to touch it today, just added some more PB blaster to the back side of the nut this afternoon. Tomorrow is reckoning day- one way or another I am resolved to get this job done and get back on the water in a week or two (still need to do some compounding / waxing / polishing to make her pretty!)

_________________
-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1

Well, I have everything removed and the plug drilled out. Now I have to wait until Monday to get the correct tap (1/4"-18 NPSF (straight pipe tap)) to tap out the rest of the menace and move forward. Frustrated that the only local stores that carry this item are closed on the weekend.

_________________
-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1

Glad you got it out.

_________________
Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs