22 replies to this topic

[DownbeatDave]

Ack! I'm having a string of bad luck, lately.

I went to move the reverse gate out of the way using the shift lever control when it broke off in my hand. It was a little hard to move at first, but it didn't seem more than normal. I may have pulled it towards me (sideways) a little while I moved it, though. But it just snapped right off right at the base of the control lever.

Anyone have experiece with either fixing or replacing it?

[tiggerman]

Go to Lowes or Home Depot, or whatever you have available for hardware. If the handle is not hollow, figure out how large a hole you can drill in it. It doesn't have to be very deep in either the part you're holding in your hand, or the part that's left in the boat. If it will take a 1/2" hole, get a piece of 7/16 all-thread rod. Drill your 1/2" hole in the surface where it broke, make sure the hole lines up on both pieces, and cut the all thread to fit. Use marine epoxy on both ends of the all thread, a little in the hole and on the broken surface, and put them back together. OR better yet, drill a hole in each, use a tap set and tap threads in each piece. Use loctite on the thread on each end, and screw it back together.
Or buy a new assembly. The fix part would be quicker.

[DownbeatDave]

I just found out that you have to buy the whole assembly for $511.

I brought it to a welding shop and they tried to weld it, but discovered it was made out of cheap pot metal and can't be welded.

I'll try the "screw them together" idea. Thanks.

[tiggerman]

I kinda knew they would be expensive..... You could maybe have a sleeve fabricated to go around the handle where it is broken... sorry for your luck man...

[secord]

wow. That is bad luck along with the other problems that you had.

Hope the threaded rod works for you.

[tiggerman]

I just found out that you have to buy the whole assembly for $511.

I brought it to a welding shop and they tried to weld it, but discovered it was made out of cheap pot metal and can't be welded.

I'll try the "screw them together" idea. Thanks.

So how is it going today, Dave?

[DownbeatDave]

Well.....

The same dealer in Portland that was so helpful in showing me how to rebuild the jet pump says they can order the shift lever only for $77. No one else I have tried online anywhere could get me a shift lever by itself, only the $511 control unit. I should be able to pick it up on Friday when it comes in. I'll belive it when I see it.

I found a guy on ebay parting out a '95 Speedster, so I emailed him to find out if he had a control unit to sell. He does, but, get this: The shift lever is broken!

So if the dealer's lever comes in for $77, I'll get it. If it doesn't, I'll try fixing the broken lever. Since it's broken at the base, I can't use the sleeve idea, but the drill-tap-screw idea might work.

[tiggerman]

Good deal. If it does come in, thats the way to go. He sounds very helpful, and maybe one of the "good" dealers so hard to find. I don't know if you've had it out, but it is quite an extensive assembly. When you do take it out, look right inside the hull where it goes, and you'll see the secret hiding place of Seadoo's hull model plate laid in the glas....

[Bob86ZZ4]

When you do get the lever fixed you should most definately consider doing the single shift cable upgrade seen here: http://seadoosportbo...php?showtopic=9

I claim that's how you broke your shifter, using the double cables puts too much strain on the shifter lever. Good luck.

[tiggerman]

I gotta agree with Bob on this one.....

[DownbeatDave]

That's a good idea. One of my reverse gates have a broken Forward position lock clip. (The casting on the reverse gate is broken off.) So the connector between the gates would help keep the gates in the up position.

[tiggerman]

Did the handle come in yet?

[DownbeatDave]

I just picked up the new shift lever. It looks like it's the right part. I'll put it together tonight and try it out tomorrow. I also ordered a gate connector, but I was advised to keep both shift cables (and lube them!).

[tiggerman]

I guess that would work too.... At least you know the gates are synchronized.....and if one cable breaks, you still got the other. Who had the gate kit?

[DownbeatDave]

The gate connector is a stock part from a later model (1999?). It's a dealer ordered part not normally in stock.

[tiggerman]

Cool enough... did you get the shifter installed?

[DownbeatDave]

FINALLY!

Got the boat in the water today. Wow! What a Ton o' fun! Everything works, too, except for the fuel gauge, which I already knew about before I bought it.

What's the max RPM I should be able to get from each engine?

[Bob86ZZ4]

I think they started using the gate connector and one shift cable in '98 didn't they? They also went to a single steering cable at that time and linked the nozzles together with a bar across the bottom of them I think.

[tiggerman]

What's the max RPM I should be able to get from each engine?

The RPM should be limited to @7000. You may or may not be able to attain that. I can get @6600-6800 at WOT on mine.
I'm glad you finally got the thing in the water, Dave. They are alot of fun when you aren't having to work on them! Maybe you have all the bugs worked out and can finally enjoy your purchase. How easy was it to install the shifter?

Bob, you're right about the shift gate connector in '98, and my '97 has the steering setup you describe.

[DownbeatDave]

The shift lever was easy to install: about 5 minutes.

Any idea what impellers come stock on Speedsters? I noticed Overton's has impellers all the way up to 17.5 / 24.5 pitch.

Also, how can I ensure that the steering nozzles are perfectly aligned? It seems to me that if they're even a little bit off, they'll be fighting each other.