Evinrude shift rod pin fell out - be sure to tighten it well

This is about the shift rod pin and how it is designed. Due to the constant vibration if the screw is not tightened properly it can fall out.
It is an easy fix however if you are out on the water, it can become quite a problem.
Be sure to tighten the screw correctly and not over tighten it or break the screw pattern. Also be aware that if the link screw breaks it may not be instantly apparent especially if it breaks in forward gear.

[@joenewmeyer8358]

Glad I found this two weeks after the issue. That little bastard took me an hour to find and an hour or two to install it? Yes, that bolt is now called the little bastard! Had wires hiding the bolt holes. First time ever and an 1988 40hp. Know to check it now?

[@golfish8589]

The shift rod on my 2015 e-tec 30 hp has become disconnected at the top. Way up by the bottom of the engine.
Do I need to remove the engine to hook this back up?
Thanks...

[@eazyrider6122]

Get a longer bolt. File or turn the desired amount of threads down to make it smooth wher the action is. Have enough left over threat to pass through the threaded part and to stick out enough to drill you hole and place a clotter pin. Just like you yourself suggested.

[@jciam5135]

wondering if you could replace the bolt with another one that uses a cotter pin, stainless steel of course.

[@mother-fng-bonswa3612]

yes, like they did with lts of parts on the outboard

[@wrenchboostboi8994]

Would blue locktight help?

[@cenkaetaya]

I think anything that keeps it from unscrewing will help. I was thinking of tying some sort of metal wire around it. Just to keep it from popping out.

[@AA-dg3ig]

Any video of u actually removing it off the motor

[@cenkaetaya]

I show one where and how, if you browse my boat videos it's called removing Evinrude shift rod pin.

[@harrytselios4228]

Drill the threads out and put a pin and C clip in it

[@rogercrouse5531]

What years are like this ?

[@cenkaetaya]

1990's

[@veryrandom5148]

If you put a little lacktight on it you would not have that problem. Usually a nilon nut will do it

[@cenkaetaya]

Thanks, I will try that next time.

[@E3fieldservices7144]

Happened to me today stuck in forward and it was pretty windy when I was trying to load the boat back up you never know how important reverse is until you have it

[@cenkaetaya]

Luckily, you were stuck in forward and not neutral.

[@E3fieldservices7144]

@@cenkaetaya neutral or reverse would have really sucked considering I had to run about 8 miles back up the river to the ramp and I was in a spot with pretty spotty cell service and there wasn't alot of other boats on the water today

[@markrusso6401]

Use some lock tight it might do the trick