Morse control is loose

Ever since I bought my Barracuda, the Morse control base has been loose on the side of my boat. It's supposed to be anchored by 3 bolts or screws. They're all in place, but only one is actually holding at all, and I can't get it to tighten.

How are these control lever bases supposed to be anchored? Is it supposed to be screwed to the fiberglass, or is there some kind of anchor behind the fiberglass the screw is supposed to anchor to?

If it's the latter, how am I supposed to get to it? Do you have to cut a hole in the plywood below? If so, where and how can I cut so I don't damage the cables or anything else behind?

Anybody have any suggestions as to how to deal with this little inconvenience?

Thomas

Yeah, well, I was afraid of that. So how do you get to them to change these things? Or to replace the nuts that have fallen off?

OK, mine seem to be flapping in the breeze on the backside. As in, there isn't any nut for them to grab onto.

How do you get the side panel out? Mine's covered in carpet currently. Does it screw in around the sides?

Thomas

8122pbrainard wrote: If the nuts are missing, I have used this trick to get in tight spaces: Put double sided tape on the end of a hacksaw blade and stick the nut on it. Once the nut is started, you will be able to then get a open end wrench on it.

Pete,

Well live and learn. Someone (I forgot who) said "Intelligence is the ability to function in novel situations."    I'm glad there are some smart guys here who have great pointers.

Chuck

Mojo wrote: Not to thread jack this important discussion, but do they make kits to rebuild these controllers? My 76 SN is so worn, it has no dipression or Neutral position that you can feel anymore... Not a problem for me, but it's hectic for my better half to try to dock this way... Moj

You sure its the controller itself? I assumed that the little bit of slop I have in the shifting of the throttle was the control, so I took it all apart, cleaned it and regreased it. Without the cables attached, it felt like a brand new piece- snapped and clicked at all the right detents. Reinstalled it and I have the same slop. The real cause must either be in the cable or transmission (most likely the latter). Maybe next year Ill try a new cable and see if it helps.

TRBenj wrote: Mojo wrote: Not to thread jack this important discussion, but do they make kits to rebuild these controllers? My 76 SN is so worn, it has no dipression or Neutral position that you can feel anymore... Not a problem for me, but it's hectic for my better half to try to dock this way... Moj You sure its the controller itself? I assumed that the little bit of slop I have in the shifting of the throttle was the control, so I took it all apart, cleaned it and regreased it. Without the cables attached, it felt like a brand new piece- snapped and clicked at all the right detents. Reinstalled it and I have the same slop. The real cause must either be in the cable or transmission (most likely the latter). Maybe next year Ill try a new cable and see if it helps.

Good question??? I'm only assumming the cams or indents are worn out? The controller works smoothly, so I also assume the cable is OK.. Until either breaks, I can live with it...

Moj'