Hello all,

I have a 2004 Tracker Pro Team 185 with original 90 HP Mercury 2 stroke and Quicksilver MPC 4000 remote control (throttle).  I'm in the middle of a major boat overhaul, starting with new carpet (two weeks into it and 90% done!). 

Today I opened my remote control/throttle to re-grease mechanical contacts before reinstalling it in the recarpeted housing.  I made sure to disconnect both throttle and shift linkages at the remote control before starting, and took pictures as a reference so ensure I put it back together properly.  After cleaning out the old grease and applying new, the remote control shifts smoothly with no linkages, but I no longer have reverse when the linkages are attached.  The gear box shifts into neutral and forward with ease.  I've disconnected the linkage at the motor to work the shift lever manually--same result.  Forward and neutral are smooth, but I feel increasing pressure when trying to shift into reverse.  

For reference, the last time the boat was run was three weeks ago to test out a new SS prop.  It ran fine, including reverse.  I've never heard a grinding noise when shifting.

This seems really odd considering the boat has been running fine.  Could I have done something wrong at the remote control?  What should I check next?

I'm really bummed that I've almost finished the recarpeting only to have a shift problem pop up.  Welp.  I'm really hoping I don't have a clutch dog replacement in my future...

Thanks for your help,

Pete

Nevermind, I think I just fixed it.  The rail that the shift linkage connects to needed to be greased.  First pic below is linkage disconnected showing the new grease, second pic shows it before removing old grease and adding new.  It shifts into forward, neutral, and reverse from both the linkage and the remote control now.  

Hopefully that's all it takes!!

I hate when I take some apart and then when I put it back together, it doesn't work. Glad you found your problem.