The Popular Yamaha Shift Problem
 

Just wanted to share my experience with the shift linkage problem. From what I've researched this is a widespread problem, the linkage rusts out and either twists or breaks making the boat not shift or stuck in any of one gear. If you run into this and research it like I did there is the dreaded task of removing the powerhead and replacing the shaft. While my girlfrend was researching this she found a new product called the "Shift Shaft". It saves the trouble of removing the powerhead since it is a 2 piece design. It cost abt. 80 bucks more than the Yamaha piece but the labor is abt. an hour if your familiar with pulling the lower unit as opposed to an all day job. Just thought I'd share as many V20's have Yammies and this problem will crop up and I here the old way is a hell of a job, with busted bolts, rusty bolts, torching....... you get the idea. Here's the link http://www.shiftshaft.com/ hope this helps someone like it did me.

Looks like a pretty simple and good idea....whats up with step by step instructions though? Step 2: Remove the carburator - and the picture shows a sawzall ! kind of funny.

You know I did 'nt even have to remove the carb, pulled off 1 vaccum line and slid my hand down in, really simple. Ya you have to sawzall whats left in half, if it has'nt already broken, there's a spot between the lower and upper units where you can see it and inspect it, thats where you cut it. They say if it's any smaller (rotted) than original size, you should just do it instead of waiting, don't know why Yammie waited till like 94 to switch to stainless.

I thought a sawzall and a hammer are required tools for any Yamaha repairs. Great post and thanks for sharing the info.

Mike

:clap:

You beat me to it! The BIG F'ing HAMMER!
http://www.hammermuseum.org/images/big_hammer.jpg

Is anyone else confused by Step 2 on their webpage...what does a sawsall have to do with removing the carb...???

-Svence

Thanks for posting! where was this 2 years and $750 ago! Is it really just an hour and that easy? I've got 2 more 88's that need replacement and that would save me a grand!

The sawzall is to remove the old shaft if it has'nt broken, you need to cut it where it passes thru the lower unit up to power head, it takes literally a few seconds, and yes it's that easy, don't remove the carbs until you try it without it first , I was able to pull a few hoses out of the way and squeeze my hand in there to do it without removing them and my hands are'nt small, though mine is a 92, others may be different, If you're familiar with removing the lower unit it's an hour job.