For a friend, not my issues again.

Regular Bravo, very delayed shift into foreward gear. Started after a drive shaft boot replacement, no foreward gear at all. He changed the linkage adjustment to get it to go into foreward and took back to servicing dealer to have checked. They had tech go to dock, shifted into foreward, it went into gear, said all is well. Now he's having the delayed shift syndrome. I've told him to have them do the whole deal to set up the shift mechanisim, they are saying for a grand they can clean the cone clutch and all "might" be good.

My question here is what is there to clean on the cone clutch?

Any thoughts here? This guy does not have the money to be F'n with a wild goose chase, but I hate to see him trash a drive and be in worse shape.

Thanks, Ragged

$1000?????

I have heard of people lightly sanding something on the cone clutch to help with the delayed shift problem. It should only be about 3-4 hrs of labor though for 1 drive.

Just had one replaced in an XR. About $750 for a new one installed.

Depending on what is going on inside, if all is good, it should take about an hour or so to remove the pinion gear, top and back cap, shift fork and remove the gear stack and break it down to get to the clutch. I wouldnt sand the cone, I would clean up the surface on the gear that the cone rides on. Inspect the ribs on the cone and make sure they are not worn. That can be done in an hour and a half.. So figure two hours labor and it should be back together. If things are worn, then the price goes up from there.
I would remove the shift cable from the bracket and see if neutral is centered.. Then shift it, with the motor running into fwd and reverse. See if it engages properly. If it does the linkage needs to be adjusted, if not, it is inside. Either the cone, or shift fork cam.
Cone is around $300.. two hours to look and install a new.. $10,000.00 (at some marinas)..

Hope that helps..
Dick

Essentially what I suggested to him, make them check the shifter linkage first, then go from there. Just didn't want to send him down the wrong road.

Thank you!
Ragged

Hi Dick, Are you saying that you can buy the cone separate from the gears? I have been told they come together. I am going to pull mine apart this weekend. It started a delay in forward and now after a run and you come back to an idle, It goes in and out of gear , feels like a miss in the motor.

If you have a pre OM serial # drive, the cone is no longer
available, post OM ( x style gears) the cone is sold seperately

As JT says, the old cones are no longer available.. but the shorter one for the X gears is:
52-865344A01, $340 list. Comes with the springs and a cone.

Make sure the linkage is adjusted correctly. Once that cone locks into the gear, it should stay there until it is kicked out by the bump ring and shift fork cam. If the gear stack is too tight it will drag on the cam and cause heat and some shifting problems. Limiting the range of the shift linkage can help. But whether or not it will cause a problem as you describe, I am not sure.

Hope that helps.
Dick

I have had several bravos get lazy shifting into gear most had some hrs on them changed the clutch problem solved i wouldn't waste my time sanding the clutch i would inspect the gears were the clutch rides if it looks ok i would etch it with some scochtbrite pads,install new clutch,check shift cable adjustment

Some techs clean and or deglaze the cone by using valve lapping compound and this has helped with delayed shifts.

Added info - Pre 1995 and back Volvo Penta had describe this procedure using the valve lapping compound as well. They even have a service bulletin about doing so.

Of course this will all depend on what the overall condition of the cone, gears and other related parts whether or not it will work.

In some cases the valve lapping compound has worked out well for both Merc and pre 1995 Volvo cones.

Do not lap the newer Volvo Penta cones - 1995 to current - the cone is coated with a Nedox coating for heat and less friction.