Dana Marine billet side mount throttle/shifter difficulties

[RIGGS]

installed last April, super nice looks awesome in my boat throttle lever works great, but i'm having trouble finding neutral on my shift lever, it doesn't set in like the orignial quicksliver single lever factory shifter did, no "click" or any indication that I'm in neutral, only way I can tell is when lever is straight up. I tried hooking it into the old mercruiser spring retainer but its too powerful for the shifter alone it just pops right back into neutral. Theres also alot of resistance in the shift lever, seems like a cable issue but the cable is brand new and I routed it fairly straight with nice gradual sweeps. If anyone has any pointers please let me know, I've taken it off numerous time to try to fix it but can't figure it out. it makes loading/docking more difficult than the orignal single lever throttle/shifter.

 

[82daytona]

Mine is similar and just took some getting used to.

 

[Todd Mohr]

I installed one a while ago to replace the cheap plastic MerCruiser single lever. I ended up disconnecting the neutral safety switch. I would switch back to the single lever if someone made a nice one. Single is easier for docking and skiing imo.

 

[LazyLavey]

installed last April, super nice looks awesome in my boat throttle lever works great, but i'm having trouble finding neutral on my shift lever, it doesn't set in like the orignial quicksliver single lever factory shifter did, no "click" or any indication that I'm in neutral, only way I can tell is when lever is straight up. I tried hooking it into the old mercruiser spring retainer but its too powerful for the shifter alone it just pops right back into neutral. Theres also alot of resistance in the shift lever, seems like a cable issue but the cable is brand new and I routed it fairly straight with nice gradual sweeps. If anyone has any pointers please let me know, I've taken it off numerous time to try to fix it but can't figure it out. it makes loading/docking more difficult than the orignal single lever throttle/shifter. View attachment 1220934

mine seems about the same, very little detent in 'N'... as 82 said, took some getting used to.

Also The neutral micro switch is very sensitive. If the shift lever is off slightly, even though it looks straight up, it wont start until you slightly move the lever...

I've gotta brief all onboard just In case somebody else needs to start the boat...

 

[humvkev]

Hello, does the Hardin Marine shifter have the same neutral issues? I am about to install this setup with new cables as well. I would like to know if I will have same learning curve with neutral. Knowing what to expect once completed would be great so I don't chase something that is normal in operation.

CP Performance - Hardin Marine Billet Stiletto Side Mount Shift / Throttle Control

Hardin Marine Billet Stiletto Side Mount Shift / Throttle Control

www.cpperformance.com

 

[RIGGS]

Hello, does the Hardin Marine shifter have the same neutral issues? I am about to install this setup with new cables as well. I would like to know if I will have same learning curve with neutral. Knowing what to expect once completed would be great so I don't chase something that is normal in operation.

CP Performance - Hardin Marine Billet Stiletto Side Mount Shift / Throttle Control

Hardin Marine Billet Stiletto Side Mount Shift / Throttle Control

www.cpperformance.com

definitely something to think about, the hardin marine makeup/cable entry on the back side looks almost identical to the dana shifter so i’d assume you’ll run into the same problem based off the other responses.

I still prefer the billet dual shifter over the clunky quicksilver one, throttle operation is awesome and it looks 10x better. if the neutral retainer spring wasn’t as strong it might fix the issue.

there is a slight detent range in the dana shifter out of the box i assume for neutral it clicked and set in both ways when i turned it, i had to find by taking the cable arm off (backside) and shift lever off then rotate until it clicked and set in then remount both lever and cable arm in the correct orientation, it felt great but when i hooked my cable up i there was too much resistance and i couldn’t feel it anymore

 

[humvkev]

This is good information and thank you, I was under the impression that a lot of the benefits of these throttle/shifters is the docking control. It sounds like you are not seeing this benefit, which is the benefit I am hoping to get from this setup. Our Stock Merc shifter is old and like you said clunky, difficult to shift into forward and reverse.

 

[sonicss31]

Hello, does the Hardin Marine shifter have the same neutral issues? I am about to install this setup with new cables as well. I would like to know if I will have same learning curve with neutral. Knowing what to expect once completed would be great so I don't chase something that is normal in operation.

CP Performance - Hardin Marine Billet Stiletto Side Mount Shift / Throttle Control

Hardin Marine Billet Stiletto Side Mount Shift / Throttle Control

www.cpperformance.com

I have this one in my Checkmate and it works great. If I cut the throttle back to idle quickly it sometimes shifts to neutral for some unknown reason but then again I have not put any effort to find out why because it only happened a few times.

 

[humvkev]

I have this one in my Checkmate and it works great. If I cut the throttle back to idle quickly it sometimes shifts to neutral for some unknown reason but then again I have not put any effort to find out why because it only happened a few times.

Do you find it difficult to find neutral as mentioned in the first post or does this have a decent detent letting you know you are in neutral.

 

[sonicss31]

No trouble finding neutral at all. My detent setting must be low tension because it is not stiff at all. My canal is only a little over 30’ wide so when I have to turn my 24’ boat around I do a lot of shifts to make the uturn to get on the lift. My next upgrade will be power steering.

 

[evantwheeler]

This is good information and thank you, I was under the impression that a lot of the benefits of these throttle/shifters is the docking control. It sounds like you are not seeing this benefit, which is the benefit I am hoping to get from this setup. Our Stock Merc shifter is old and like you said clunky, difficult to shift into forward and reverse.

1000% easier docking and control of the boat at slower speeds & maneuvering with separate controls. Ive had two of these units and they are the best upgrade to do to a boat, after making sure you have the correct prop.

 

[evantwheeler]

installed last April, super nice looks awesome in my boat throttle lever works great, but i'm having trouble finding neutral on my shift lever, it doesn't set in like the orignial quicksliver single lever factory shifter did, no "click" or any indication that I'm in neutral, only way I can tell is when lever is straight up. I tried hooking it into the old mercruiser spring retainer but its too powerful for the shifter alone it just pops right back into neutral. Theres also alot of resistance in the shift lever, seems like a cable issue but the cable is brand new and I routed it fairly straight with nice gradual sweeps. If anyone has any pointers please let me know, I've taken it off numerous time to try to fix it but can't figure it out. it makes loading/docking more difficult than the orignal single lever throttle/shifter. View attachment 1220934

I never had issues “finding” neutral. Once in a while i had to touch it when starting to get it to complete the circuit for the neutral safety switch, but never felt like i couldnt find neutral. Have you called marine industries west and picked their brain?

I also felt that there was more resistance than i had expected in the shift lever, i too installed new cables when i installed the shifter. I think it feels hard because the lever arm is so short. Also, i think there may be a set screw on each lever that can be used to increase friction or the lever resistance to return. Im certain there was one for the throttle. Take a look at that, could be part of your issue.

 

[RIGGS]

I never had issues “finding” neutral. Once in a while i had to touch it when starting to get it to complete the circuit for the neutral safety switch, but never felt like i couldnt find neutral. Have you called marine industries west and picked their brain?

I also felt that there was more resistance than i had expected in the shift lever, i too installed new cables when i installed the shifter. I think it feels hard because the lever arm is so short. Also, i think there may be a set screw on each lever that can be used to increase friction or the lever resistance to return. Im certain there was one for the throttle. Take a look at that, could be part of your issue.

good advice, ill take look at that, thanks!

my main issue is i sometimes pull or push the lever too far because i cant feel where neutral is resulting in me grinding gears. took it apart a couple weeks ago and turned the shift arm upside down on the backside thinking the cable had more of a straight shot into the assembly and it might lessen the friction/resistance in the cable itself. turns out i had a blonde moment a totally flip flopped F and R and didn't realize until i put it in the water the next day

 

[evantwheeler]

good advice, ill take look at that, thanks!

my main issue is i sometimes pull or push the lever too far because i cant feel where neutral is resulting in me grinding gears. took it apart a couple weeks ago and turned the shift arm upside down on the backside thinking the cable had more of a straight shot into the assembly and it might lessen the friction/resistance in the cable itself. turns out i had a blonde moment a totally flip flopped F and R and didn't realize until i put it in the water the next day

Yeah, neutral certainly isn't as easy to find as it is on the standard combo control, but I have never accidentally shifted into the opposite gear when trying to just shift to neutral. Something is funky with your setup for sure. Neutral detent could be felt for sure on mine.

 

[82daytona]

I can’t remember the guys name who took over the Dana product line but maybe someone does and could tag him

 

[Jay Dub]

I have the same shifter in our 210. We love it. It is a game changer for maneuvering around docks etc. No issue finding neutral. @Marine Industries West

 

[82daytona]

That’s the guy

 

[Carlos90041]

I have the same issue. Neutral is hard to find when starting. Underway, no problem. I even took it to the shop after install. Iguana Marine checked it and verified nothing was wrong. Just got to get used to it. My wife hates it thou.

 

[RIGGS]

I took the thing off again and messed with the shift lever tensioner

I never had issues “finding” neutral. Once in a while i had to touch it when starting to get it to complete the circuit for the neutral safety switch, but never felt like i couldnt find neutral. Have you called marine industries west and picked their brain?

I also felt that there was more resistance than i had expected in the shift lever, i too installed new cables when i installed the shifter. I think it feels hard because the lever arm is so short. Also, i think there may be a set screw on each lever that can be used to increase friction or the lever resistance to return. Im certain there was one for the throttle. Take a look at that, could be part of your issue.

I just took it apart and messed with the tensioner and i think that kind of fixed it, don’t know what i did but there’s wayyy less resistance, easier to find neutral.. not as easy as i’d like it but way smoother and i can definitely feel neutral now.

thanks for the help!

 

[LazyLavey]

sensitive microswitch

 

[02HoWaRd26]

I believe it also has a little allen in it to tighten the lock a tiny bit. At which it’ll click into the N location a lot better.

 

[RIGGS]

pretty sure i got it as good as it will get, it’s much better now. found out a strut in my engine cover was pushing the cable down causing all the resistance.. thanks for all the help!